The Unity view: Studying the benefits of professional qualifications

Published: July 16, 2024

At Unity, our employees share our vision of creating a better society through responsible, ethical banking. We’re committed to supporting the personal and professional growth of every employee, so we can continue to best serve our customers and deliver our ‘double bottom line’ of profit and purpose.

An important part of this is professional and industry qualifications, which can open the door to future progression, create opportunities for a new career path within the business or develop an employee’s existing skill set and expertise.

This commitment to employee training and development supports our team members to thrive in their roles at Unity. They continue to actively engage with Unity’s mission to contribute to a better society. This helps us all to deliver business banking with a social conscience.

We’re sharing the stories of Unity Trust Bank staff members in a special two-part series, focusing on employee training and development.

Here, we speak to Unity employees Megan Reeves, Commercial Banking Officer in the Midlands team and Richard Leighton, Relationship Manager in the South team, about their undertaking of professional qualifications and what the experience has taught them.

Can you tell us a bit about your career background?

Megan: I joined Unity in 2018 as a Customer Service apprentice. After successfully completing the course, I was employed full-time within the department. I came to Unity straight out of college at 18 years old, with no previous banking experience, so my apprenticeship provided a pathway to a career in finance.

Richard: My background is in Commercial Finance and Treasury consultancy, with a specialism in Higher and Further Education. I joined Unity in 2022 as a Relationship Manager.

What industry qualifications have you completed while at Unity and how has this helped your professional or personal development?

Megan: Following my Customer Services apprenticeship in 2019, I gained a Certificate in Business Banking and Finance from the London Institute of Banking & Finance in 2023 and a Moody’s Certificate in Analytics Credit Reasoning & Writing in 2024. Following my apprenticeship, these two qualifications have proved invaluable in strengthening my skills and knowledge for my current role.

Richard: I’m currently studying for a Green and Sustainable Finance Certificate with the Chartered Bankers Institute. It’s a topic I’m personally interested in and I’d like to extend my knowledge and understanding. The course shows my commitment to continued development and learning. It’s also of great relevance to my work at Unity. Sustainability and climate change are having an increased impact on lending.

What support did you receive from Unity to achieve these qualifications?

Megan: The business fully funded my qualifications. I also received ongoing support from management and my fellow colleagues during my studies.

Richard: Unity is fully funding the cost of the qualification, which is a self-learning course with online study tools.

What advice would you give to other people who are considering a professional qualification?

Megan: Learning and personal development is so important at any point during your career. There’s a wide variety of courses that can provide a stepping stone to future opportunities. So, if the qualification will help you to improve within your current role, or open doors to a new position, then go for it!

Richard: I think it’s important to embark on qualifications that you have a personal interest in, as well as those that can add value to your role. Perhaps consider studying for shorter courses before moving on to more long-term qualifications. The time commitment can be considerable – and this must be balanced with your other responsibilities. However, once the qualification is complete it’s an asset you’ll have forever. Plus, it’s something you can continue to develop throughout your career, as many courses count as credits toward others.

Unity offers full financial support for training courses, professional and industry qualifications. The bank also provides staff members with paid study leave to support their learning as required.

Julia Tarpey, Director of HR at Unity Trust Bank, comments:

“It’s fantastic to see our employees take full advantage of the support we offer to help secure professional and industry qualifications. At Unity, we know that additional study can provide a wealth of benefits to our staff We help them to develop their existing expertise or even explore new and exciting career opportunities within the business. I’m delighted that Richard and Megan have had such a positive experience. I hope this inspires others to follow their lead.”

At Unity, our values ensure we act in a way that helps to create a better society – for customers, staff, stakeholders and communities. We were the first bank accredited as a Living Wage Employer, we hold a Gold Standard in Investors in People, and are a signatory to the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, which is a commitment to see fairness and gender balance at all levels across financial services firms.

As part of this employee training and development series, we’ve also shared the story of Unity employees Lucy and Sebastian. They share how their professional qualifications have led to new career opportunities. You can read more here.

To find out more about careers at Unity, click here.