High Wycombe's insurance firm Partners& is launching a fresh apprenticeship program aimed at attracting ambitious young people from diverse backgrounds into the insurance sector.

Created specifically for 16 to 17-year-olds, the program is designed by the company's learning and development team.

The course offers a diverse range of skill-building sessions, including interview training, personal brand awareness, presentation skills and work shadowing.

The students will also attend meetings with senior leaders sharing their work experiences and journeys within the industry.

Partners& Chief People Officer, Natalie McClean, stressed the need to provide opportunities to the younger generation.

Ms McClean said: "We want to provide young talent with an opportunity to experience what working in an insurance advisory business is really like.

"We think insurance is the best kept secret of the finance world."

She noted that while insurance is often overlooked as a career, those who enter the sector seldom think of leaving due to its rewarding nature.

She also highlighted a concerning fact.

She said: "The insurance industry is facing a crisis - if we don't create opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to consider insurance as a viable employment option, we will struggle to recruit the talent required to support our profession."

Partners& will continue to collaborate with its charity partner since 2022, Working Options in Education, to reach out to schools across the UK.

The first group of apprentices will begin their training in July at the Partners& High Wycombe office, with plans to expand the program over time.