We spoke with Abigail Aston, Banking tutor and Financial Services Curriculum Manager. She provided us with her expertise and perspectives on the learning environment at Kaplan.
Curriculum manager and tutor’s perspective: Abigail Aston
Can you talk to us about your role at Kaplan?
As the Financial Services Curriculum Manager, I work with large, medium and small financial services firms to design bespoke apprenticeship programmes from entry to degree levels, these incorporate professional banking qualifications through professional bodies: CII, CBI, LIBF and ICA.
As well as creating bespoke programmes, I also teach subjects such as Professionalism and Ethics, Bank Strategy, Operations and Technology, Financial Services Regulation, and Digital Banking and Innovation.
Why did you choose to go into your field?
I sort of fell into teaching when I was approached initially by a recruiter to join Kaplan as a Financial Services Tutor. I loved coaching in the mid-senior level banking role I was in then, and I had been inspired by tutors who had taught me in my studies to share my knowledge with others.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love seeing learners go through that journey of self-belief and resilience, as well as empowering them to go out and get what they deserve, whether that being the most competent version of themselves in their current role or taking the next step in their career.
An experienced financial services learner once said to me that as a result of the degree level financial services learning in professionalism and ethics, they felt like they now had something valuable to contribute in senior management discussions because they had that understanding of banking history, banking crises and why banking operates in the way it does. This was a light bulb moment for me, and highlighted the impact that education can have on one’s confidence!
What should learners expect when studying their Banking and Financial Services apprenticeship at Kaplan?
They should expect an engaged and helpful tutor, with easy-to-access online content with online sessions and recordings. They’ll also gain the ability to interact with their peers and learn from each other. Everyone is supported from the start to the end of their apprenticeship by coaches and tutors.
We also relate all learning to current-day happenings, whether talking about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, or the recent budget, and we bring in expert speakers from the employers themselves to bring the learning to life for their apprentices studying with Kaplan.
How does the learning environment differ from other providers?
The intuitive e-learning platform, MyKaplan, is great, and it also has a mobile app so that you can study anywhere. Our tutors and coaches are also industry experts, so they’re learning from the best in the field.
Most of all, we are so passionate about teaching and learning because we love what we do.
What advice would you give to learners looking to go into the sector?
I’d advise them to find out more about their options. There are so many fabulous banking apprenticeships now for school leavers, A-Level leavers and graduate schemes.
What is an exciting industry trend or news story you’re keeping an eye on?
Innovation and sustainability!
The recent budget implied that the government will be investing in AI, so banks will need to do the same.
Also, we’re seeing investor sentiment in green finance increase, and banks are building net zero into their strategic goals, so sustainability is definitely a theme to keep an eye on.