Stories

Have a look at these videos and stories of our current graduates:

Hi, my name is Rebecca.  I have just completed the NHS Wales Financial Management Graduate scheme in July 2024.

In my first year on the scheme, I have enjoyed going to lots of different finance functions for my placements and although sometimes it can be difficult starting a new placement every so often, I quickly settled into this and took joining each new department as a new opportunity to learn something new and develop my finance knowledge previously gained in other departments.

My second year on the graduate scheme flew by. I applied the knowledge that I learnt during my first year on the scheme to the variety of different placements that I have undertaken. I also had the opportunity to get involved and contribute to outside projects as well as run meetings with some of the services to understand the pressures they are under and therefore as a finance professional figuring out how to support the service in the best way possible.

My third year on the graduate scheme allowed me to further develop my knowledge of financial management building upon my previous two years on the scheme. Undertaking further placements in costing, financial planning, financial delivery, and business partnering I had been able to get involved with different elements of finance and see financial management from the perspective of different teams and divisions.

Throughout the scheme, the programme of learning for ACCA fitted in with the placements I was doing at the time and provided me with a good basic knowledge for some of the tasks I undertook in each of my placements.

Overall, the Financial Management Graduate Scheme has allowed me to build upon and develop a range of different skills, not only those of financial management but softer skills such as stakeholder management, team working and time management. The graduate scheme has enabled me to be a part of lots of different finance teams and determine which career path within finance I can see myself doing in the future whilst gaining an accounting qualification.

My name is Ashley, I am starting my third year in September 2024 as a Financial Management Graduate trainee at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

I applied for the three-year Financial Management Graduate Scheme because I knew it would give me the opportunity to develop my financial management and leadership skills whilst studying for a professional accountancy qualification through an intense development experience.  since being in post I have rotated into a number of placements which has given me invaluable insight and experience in financial, business and leadership roles that entail real work situations.  I have worked closely with doctors, nurses and other health professionals to ensure the best decisions about modern, effective and flexible services are made, including making tough decisions about where and how resources are allocated, and money is spent.

If I was to describe my first-year experience in one word I would say valuable. The different work placements I have undertaken alongside studying have enriched my knowledge, developed my skills, challenged me in one way or another, but through it all I have managed .

My second year on the graduate scheme has been filled with great opportunities to work in various placements within the health board and one external placement that have aided in growing the foundational knowledge, skills and experience in finance that were acquired in my first year of being on the scheme.  My second year has greatly sharpened my competency across various financial functions and by having autonomy and responsibility over tasks has largely increased my strategic thinking, analytical abilities, collaborative nature and being able to draw suitable conclusions just to name a few.                                       

Undoubtedly, one of the most valuable aspects of the placements has been the ability to have the support of both NHS Wales finance academy and Cardiff and Vale UHB who have worked closely together to ensure that I achieve all objectives set out for my second year.

I am Gareth and I work as a Financial Management Graduate Trainee, in Hywel Dda University Health Board. I am starting my second year in September 2024.

My first year on the scheme has been really positive and I have enjoyed every aspect of it so far.

I came into the role not having any practical experience of accountancy, finance or the systems used. This felt daunting to begin with, however the scheme has eased me into the roles and with the help of the teams I have worked with I feel confident and knowledgeable as a financial professional even as little as a few months into the scheme.

Everyone I have worked with so far has been very welcoming and more than happy to pass on knowledge and skills of the various roles. I have felt a vital part of teams in the placements I have worked in, encouraged to give my input and thoughts regardless of my current skills or expertise.

I have built up many skills from admin and computer software skills, to accountancy skills (which directly relate and help with the qualification studies), to management and financial literacy and knowledge.

The opportunities that we are very fortunate to have during the scheme have been the highlight of my first year. Meeting the top senior officials in NHS Wales with the other graduates on my years scheme was a particular highlight. The insight that was given was invaluable.

It has been helpful and encouraging that many senior members, Directors of Finance and above have started on the scheme (or similar version) and this has assisted them into gaining the positions they currently have.

As the start of my second year approaches the level of study and exam increases, however, thanks to the guidance and study skills I have gained from the scheme and training provider so far this jump to second year is more exciting than a concern. I feel confident that I will successfully gain a Chartered Accountant qualification and become a strong financial manager in the future to come.