Finance graduate prospects boosted - graduate jobs

Graduates looking for a career in financial services have been given hope by Aviva, with the launch of an internship scheme for recent graduates and students.

Six students and graduates took part in the pilot of the scheme, which is an attempt to recruit future financial advisers to the company.

They all received a six-week paid internship, as well as £1,000 cash. A further 40 students' careers were given a helping hand, with 15 applicants given a £1,000 prize and 25 having their CVs published on Aviva's website.

Stephen Gay, director of distribution development for Aviva UK Life, said predictions that numbers of financial advisers would fall motivated the development of the internship scheme.

He said: "We recognised a need to try to bring more new blood into the industry. We have been heavily involved in the debate about the proposals and it is incumbent upon major organisations to think about solutions rather than simply commenting about industry change."