Customer services

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

• Level 1 Award for Introduction to Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Contact Centre Operations
• T Level in Finance

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You can apply to a financial company to do a Customer Services Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take around 1 year to complete. They combine on-the-job training and time spent learning about financial products and services.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could start as an admin assistant with a company and move into financial services by training on the job.

Direct application

You could apply directly to become a financial services customer adviser. It will help if you have:

• GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
• computer and keyboard skills
• experience of customer service, cash handling or office work

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• Most employers will want to do a credit check. They do this to make sure you do not have any outstanding debts which could stop you working in financial services.
• pass enhanced background checks

More information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a financial services customer adviser from Walbrook Institute London.

View all vacancies in this region

With more training and qualifications, you could specialise in mortgage advice, pensions or financial advice.