The AIB Apprenticeship fast tracks you into a career where you can learn as you earn. Not only do you get a paid a full–time salary, but you also get a fully–funded degree qualification, studying at a university or college one day a week. 

Brian Gillan, Head of Retail and Northern Ireland at AIB spoke of apprenticeships as a “great launchpad for a career in banking, combining on–the–job experience and skill–building, mentoring with AIB colleagues, and continued education.” 

Thinking about applying for an AIB apprenticeship? Here are some of our top frequently asked questions.

What Is AIB?

AIB (Allied Irish Banks) is a leading financial services group. It provides a comprehensive range of services to personal, business and corporate customers across the UK & Ireland. 

AIB NI is a dynamic, diverse and fun place to work, with over 400 employees in Northern Ireland. Its vision is to be a truly customer–focused, digitally enabled bank that meets all of their customers’ banking needs and manages their important financial decisions.

What will I do as an AIB apprentice?

As an AIB apprentice, you will get a head start in a career in banking, working four days a week at AIB and going to university or college one day a week.

Depending on which apprenticeship job role you apply for, apprentices are placed in a team for the entire duration of their studies.

Apprentices are employees – they are treated just the same as other AIB staff, with the same benefits and performance review processes as everyone else. You will also be given opportunities to chair meetings, take the lead in certain projects and meet objectives just like a full–time member of the team. 

Check out this insightful video from Caleb who is currently an apprentice at AIB. 

When will I have time to study?

Apprentices attend university or college one day a week, working towards a foundation degree qualification (Level 5) or a Bachelor’s degree qualification (Level 6). You get to put your learning into practice while working on–the–job at AIB the remaining four days a week. Your day at university or college will more than likely look like a Monday, then Tuesday to Friday will be in working in AIB.

Current apprentice Rachel is studying an Accounting with Management degree at the University of Ulster while completing her AIB apprenticeship. This is what she had to say about balancing studies and work:

Rachel from AIB

“In terms of balancing uni work, we get study leave to prepare for exams, and there’s support within AIB to assist with any assignments. They’ll allow me time to do them if I need to, and there are even people there who could help with my work if I have questions.”

What roles are available?

AIB has apprenticeship opportunities across a diverse range of teams, departments and locations.

Below are their job roles, followed by the locations available and the apprenticeship course type and level: 

• Business/Corporate Lending Advisor – Belfast – Accounting with Management (Level 6)

• Customer Service Specialist – Mortgages – Belfast – Leading Customer Operations (Level 6)

• Branch Customer Service Specialist – Belfast, Derry~Londonderry (Meadowbank), Dungannon, Enniskillen, Newry – Leading Customer Operations (Level 6)

• Branch Customer Service Specialist – Derry~Londonderry (Meadowbank), Dungannon, Enniskillen, Newry – Business Management (Level 5) or Business & Enterprise (Level 5)

 You can check out all of the AIB apprenticeship roles here: AIB Apprenticeship Opportunities

How Much Do I Get Paid?

Across all of AIB NI’s current Apprenticeship roles, the salary is £19,000 a year. You also get a fully–funded degree qualification.

AIB also offer their staff numerous benefits which can be found here on their Workplus employer page.

AIB Benefits

How do I apply?

To apply for an AIB apprenticeship you need to apply through Workplus. The Workplus application includes completing your profile, your apprenticeship application, ranking the job roles and taking a suitability assessment.

Explore AIB’s opportunities here and find the link to apply.

For tips and advice on how to apply, watch the recording of the Workplus Apprenticeship Clinic here.

When is the closing date? 

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 23rd of February.

 ”Our apprentices are put into a team for the entire duration of their studies. My apprentices are studying Customer Operations, which aligns perfectly with our team and our work in Customer Service and Customer Experience. The practical aspect of their jobs has had a really positive impact on their assignments. They are able to draw from personal and practical on–the–job experience and apply that knowledge.”

 ”We try our best to provide opportunities for our apprentices to step out of their comfort zone and achieve personal growth. Not only is their work assessed by the same sort of performance review process as everyone else, but they are given opportunities to chair meetings, take the lead in certain things and meet objectives just like any member of the team.”

“I’d encourage anyone to apply for an apprenticeship, and I wish that this sort of thing had been talked about more when my own kids were leaving school. AIB is a great place to work. Everyone supports our apprentices and will give them a helping hand. The work itself is incredibly varied and offers a strong foundation for working life. Even within my own team, our apprentices could go down a number of routes, from account onboarding to compliance; and outside of my team you have corporate banking, mortgages or even legal or HR. The world is their oyster depending on where their interests lie.”

“For us, running this apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Workplus has been incredibly smooth. I have a diverse team of 29 people, ranging in ages from 18–year–old apprentices to those who have spent a lifetime in banking, this breadth of experience brings different dynamics and knowledge to the office. Our apprentices have brought fresh thinking and energy, which everyone has benefitted from.”

You can find current AIB apprenticeship opportunities here,