For many graduates, breaking into financial services can feel daunting.

A lack of industry connections, limited access to relevant experience, and uncertainty around where to start can all make careers in finance feel out of reach - particularly for those from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds.

That’s why Kaplan is proud to continue its partnership with ReadyBridge for a second year, supporting aspiring finance professionals with the knowledge, guidance, and industry insight needed to take their first steps into the sector.

Together, Kaplan and ReadyBridge are helping widen access to careers in finance by creating opportunities for talented individuals, regardless of their background or previous experience.

Creating more accessible pathways into finance

ReadyBridge was founded with a clear purpose: to help graduates access opportunities in the financial services sector through training, mentorship, and career support.

Daniel Gordon, co-founder of ReadyBridge, said:

“We founded ReadyBridge to help talent find opportunity in the capital markets industry regardless of background.”

The organisation supports learners across several areas, including talent sourcing, mentoring, placement support, and industry-focused training. Kaplan delivers the financial training element of the programme, helping participants develop both technical understanding and commercial awareness.

When selecting an education partner, shared values were an important part of the decision.

As co-founder John McConnell explains:

“When we were looking for a partner to provide the educational content for our programme we wanted to find someone whose ethos matched our own. Kaplan does that through a very explicit commitment to inclusion and to promoting a world in which talent can equally develop, advance and thrive.”

That commitment to opportunity, accessibility, and education is what makes the partnership such a natural fit.

Combining technical learning with real-world insight

Delivered through ten live online evening sessions, the programme introduces learners to key areas of financial services, including:

• Financial markets overview
• Market economics and equities
• Interest rates, FX, and trading venues
• Fixed income and commodities
• Derivatives
• The UK regulatory environment
• Financial statements and analysis
• Transitioning into corporate life

The sessions are designed not just to explain financial concepts, but to show how they apply in real-world environments and careers.

From understanding market movements to exploring financial analysis and workplace expectations, learners gain practical insight into both the technical and professional sides of the industry.

John Dundas, Head of Client Relationships – Banking and Finance at Kaplan, said:

“We are delighted to partner with ReadyBridge on this wonderful initiative by providing a highly practical modular training programme delivered by experienced practitioners.”

He added:

“As an educator, we are committed to promoting a world in which talented individuals regardless of their background, can develop, advance and thrive in the financial sector.”

Dave Kingston, who facilitated sessions for ReadyBridge on behalf of Kaplan, said:

“It has been great to support the ReadyBridge programme. It is a fantastic initiative - giving participants a fantastic opportunity to realise their potential.”

He added:

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with previous participants and the enthusiasm and ability I witnessed will make them a real asset for future employers. This is a really comprehensive programme that will really enable candidates to contribute from day one”.

Alongside the training, participants also benefit from mentorship and career guidance, helping them build confidence around applications, interviews, networking, and career progression.

Helping learners build confidence in the industry

Feedback from participants shows the programme is having a meaningful impact on both technical understanding and career confidence.

Many learners described joining the programme with limited financial knowledge before developing a much stronger understanding of markets, asset classes, and the wider industry.

One participant shared:

“The programme exceeded my expectations by combining practical market knowledge with outstanding mentorship, leaving me confident and well-prepared to pursue a career in finance.”

Another explained:

“Having it condensed into a series of lectures that go above and beyond being informative has made me a lot more confident in pursuing a career in the financial industry.”

Learners also highlighted the value of the programme’s balance between technical teaching, interactive sessions, and practical discussion.

That engagement was something ReadyBridge particularly valued throughout the programme.

John McConnell said:

“Holding the attention of 30 students in virtual format for 2 hours per session while conveying a significant amount of information in a highly engaging manner takes real skill, and that’s what the Kaplan lecturers who worked with the ReadyBridge programme were able to do, session after session.”

The value of mentorship and professional support

Mentorship forms an important part of the ReadyBridge experience.

Participants have opportunities to connect directly with experienced professionals working within financial services, allowing them to ask questions, receive personalised guidance, and gain a better understanding of the realities of the industry.

For many learners, this support became one of the most valuable aspects of the programme.

Others highlighted how mentoring helped them feel more prepared for applications, interviews, and long-term career development.

Preparing learners for professional life

Alongside technical finance training, the programme also focuses on helping participants navigate the transition into the workplace itself.

Sessions exploring communication, teamwork, workplace expectations, and professional confidence were described by learners as “engaging”, “thought provoking”, and “genuinely useful”, particularly for those entering professional environments for the first time.

By combining industry knowledge with practical workplace preparation, the programme aims to help learners feel more informed, capable, and ready to pursue opportunities within financial services.

Looking ahead

As ReadyBridge continues to grow, the ambition is to expand opportunities for aspiring finance professionals and continue building recognition for the programme within the industry.

Kaplan is proud to support that mission.

Through partnerships like this, we can help create a financial services sector that is more accessible, more inclusive, and better equipped to recognise talent wherever it comes from.

To learn more about ReadyBridge and its work supporting future finance professionals, visit the ReadyBridge website.