At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Business Support Trainee Programme and gain hands-on experience in finance and operations.
- Company: Vanguard is a leading investment company focused on low-cost, client-centric investing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, sign-on bonus, and hybrid working model with social events.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in finance while networking with over 300 trainees and industry professionals.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring your curiosity, a great attitude, and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Applications open for non-graduate school leavers; roles start in late September 2025.
The predicted salary is between 22400 - 33600 ÂŁ per year.
You will join as part of the Investment20/20 programme. As a trainee on the Vanguard Investment20/20 programme you will be introduced to the investment management industry, gain industry knowledge, experience and develop relationships enabling you to progress your career. You will have opportunities to meet and network with over 300 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events.
About Vanguard Vanguard is an investment company unlike any other. It was founded in the US in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. We’re a mutual fund, which means the people that invest their money with us are also our owners. That makes our mission simple; to create value for our investors. We stand for low-cost, uncomplicated investing and we’re proud to help millions of people by giving them the best chance for investment success.
Vanguard and Investment20/20 We have a strong partnership with Investment20/20; many teams across our business have benefitted from the skills and unique perspectives of talented young people who joined us through this programme. To date, we’ve welcomed 30 trainees and many of them have gone on to take permanent roles with us. As a trainee on the Investment20/20 programme you will be introduced to the investment management industry, gain industry knowledge, experience and develop relationships enabling you to progress your career. You will have opportunities to meet and network with over 200 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events. In 2025 we will continue our partnership by offering six, 12-month trainee roles across different parts of our business in London.
The opportunity You may work in one of our operations teams such as Finance & Accounting, Legal, or HR, or perhaps with our Personal Investor teams, who work with our investors as they buy and sell our funds. No matter which team you join, you will be given meaningful work that will make a real contribution to our business. Through the recruitment process you will meet with our Talent Acquisition specialists, who will help you to understand the options and match you up with a team who can offer meaningful work to advance your career at Vanguard, or elsewhere. Our opportunities in 2025 will start in late September, and we are inviting applications from non-graduate school leavers. You don’t need experience, just a sharp mind, curiosity, and a great attitude. You will be paid the equivalent of £28,000 per year plus a sign-on bonus of £1,000 to help you with initial costs (like buying new work clothes or your travel expenses). Once you finish the traineeship, if you want to stay on and you have made a good impression, the HR team will help you to apply for permanent roles.
Qualifications for the job We are looking for school/college leavers who are keen to learn and start their careers in financial services. You will be a brilliant fit for this opportunity if you are bright, hardworking, and can show us how you are curious and willing to learn about investing. We look for people who care – about doing great work for our investors, and about caring for each other – people who are inclusive, have a high level of integrity and are naturally tenacious. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply Note: you are applying for the Programme, the Talent Acquisition team will match successful candidates to the team that best suits their skills. Please apply online by submitting a CV and, as part of your application, please answer the questions below in 250-300 words per question. You will need to save your answers in a single PDF document, which you will upload along with your CV. You can use examples from your work, education or home life. Questions: Tell us about your greatest achievement. Why is it your greatest achievement? What did you learn from it? Tell us about a time when you have worked in a team environment to achieve a shared goal. Tell us about a time you have needed to be tenacious in order to achieve something.
PLEASE NOTE: The Use of AI Technology The purpose of these questions is to give you an opportunity share your own personal experiences and thought processes. We know that AI is an increasingly useful tool and we’re happy for you to use it to research and help form an answer, but you should not submit wholly AI generated answers.
Vanguard has a hybrid working model, which means most teams work Tuesday-Thursday in the office and Monday and Friday from home. For some jobs we may need you to be in the office Monday-Friday. We will discuss the working pattern with you during the interview process.
Inclusion Statement Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.” We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose: to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity Vanguard is an equal opportunity employer. Vanguard is committed to providing all crew members a working environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice and bias. Through this Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy, Vanguard reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and crew members without regard to race, colour, national origin or ancestry, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status. In addition, Vanguard prohibits discrimination based on genetic information, as well as any other protected characteristic. We will make reasonable accommodations if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process. Please inform careers@vanguard.com if you need any help.
Business Support Trainee Programme employer: Investment2020
Contact Detail:
Investment2020 Recruiting Team
careers@vanguard.com
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Support Trainee Programme
✨Tip Number 1
Research Vanguard and the Investment20/20 programme thoroughly. Understanding their values, mission, and the specifics of the trainee programme will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or past trainees from the programme. They can provide valuable insights into the application process and what to expect, which can help you prepare better for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your teamwork experiences in detail. Since the role involves working in teams, think of specific examples where you contributed to a shared goal, highlighting your collaboration skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your curiosity and willingness to learn during the interview. Be ready to ask insightful questions about the role and the company, showing that you're eager to grow within the financial services industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Support Trainee Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the Business Support Trainee Programme. Read through the job description carefully to grasp what skills and experiences are valued.
Craft Your CV: Tailor your CV to highlight relevant experiences that align with the role. Focus on showcasing your curiosity, teamwork, and tenacity, as these are key traits they are looking for.
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, use specific examples from your life. Make sure to clearly explain why each achievement is significant and what you learned from it.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your CV and answers for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Investment2020
✨Research Vanguard and the Investment20/20 Programme
Before your interview, take some time to understand Vanguard's mission and values, as well as the specifics of the Investment20/20 programme. This will help you articulate why you're interested in the role and how you align with their goals.
✨Prepare Personal Examples
The application requires you to discuss your greatest achievement and experiences working in teams. Think of specific examples that showcase your skills, tenacity, and ability to collaborate. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Show Your Curiosity and Willingness to Learn
Vanguard is looking for candidates who are eager to learn about investing. Be prepared to discuss what interests you about the financial services industry and how you plan to develop your knowledge during the traineeship.
✨Emphasise Your Values and Integrity
Vanguard values inclusivity and integrity. During the interview, highlight experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities. Discuss how you care about doing great work for clients and supporting your colleagues, which aligns with Vanguard's culture.