Scotland’s financial services sector offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals at all stages of their careers. Whether you are returning to work after a career break or exploring a new direction due to a job loss or a desire to leverage your transferable skills, there are diverse and rewarding pathways available to you.
Our sector values the experience and unique perspectives that professionals bring, providing a supportive environment to help you achieve your career goals.
Stepping back into the workforce after a break can be challenging, but Scotland’s financial services sector is well-equipped to support your transition. Whether your career break was by choice, for family reasons, or due to unforeseen circumstances, your skills remain valuable and relevant.
Returning after redundancy: Re-enter the workforce in roles that align with your previous experience, such as transitioning from HR to Talent Acquisition in finance, where your people skills and industry knowledge are in high demand.
Family career breaks: For those who took time off to raise a family, roles that value interpersonal skills, such as Financial Advisor or Client Relationship Manager, are excellent options.
Career sabbatical: If you’ve taken time out for personal development or travel, roles that require strong organisational skills, like Project Management or Compliance Officer, might be a great fit.
The financial services sector is broad, with roles that accommodate a wide range of skills from other industries. Whether you are moving from tech, marketing, or any other field, the sector offers many opportunities to apply your expertise in new and exciting ways.
IT to data analysis in finance: Individuals with a tech background can seamlessly transition into roles in data analysis, where their skills in data management and problem-solving are highly valued.
Project management to risk management: If you have a background in project management, your skills in planning, risk assessment, and leadership can be easily transferred to risk management roles within financial services.
Marketing to financial planning: Professionals with experience in marketing and communication may find rewarding careers in financial planning, where client interaction and communication are key.
Explore short courses and free resources designed to help you boost your skills in areas like sustainable finance, data analytics, or cybersecurity.
Whether you are looking for a self-paced course, or more structured learning, professionals can access a wide range of great learning opportunities.
Connect with industry professionals through networking events or mentorship programmes.
Have you recently joined the sector? Find out if your employer is a member of the Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) and sign up for your free individual membership.
When considering a career change or returning to work, your existing skills can be a valuable asset in the financial services sector. Many roles in the sector require a combination of skills that are not limited to one industry, making the transition smoother if you can identify and leverage your transferrable skills. Additionally, emerging skills in financial services provide exciting new opportunities for those looking to reskill and take on new challenges.
Adapting involves the ability to quickly adjust to new technologies, market conditions, and regulatory changes is essential in today’s fast-paced… read more
Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which is crucial for effective communication and relationship building. read more
Resilience is the strength to remain focused and productive under pressure and to bounce back from setbacks. read more
Negotiating is the ability to communicate effectively and reach agreements that benefit all parties involved. read more
Analytical skills involve the ability to collect, interpret, and analyse data to solve problems, make decisions, and understand complex issues. read more
Problem-solving is the ability to identify, analyse, and find effective solutions for complex issues and challenges. read more
Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate information, identify biases, and draw well-reasoned conclusions. read more
Creativity involves the ability to think outside the box and develop new solutions to problems. read more
Whether you’re just starting out, or as you develop further in your career, it’s very important that you continue to learn and develop your skills.
Developing knowledge and skills will help boost your confidence, pursue new opportunities and have an exciting and rewarding career journey.
Develop your skills with shorter courses and training.
Study in Scotland’s most outstanding colleges and universities.
Develop an understanding of sustainability and climate-related challenges.
Digital Course
An introduction to sustainability for finance professionals
Online
Undergraduate
BEng (Hons) Cyber security
In-Person
BEng (Hons) Cybersecurity & Forensics
Online In-Person
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Data Science)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Diploma in Industrial Training
BSc (Hons) Data Science – Undergraduate, Full-time
Apprenticeships
BSc (Hons) Data Science (GA)
BSc (Hons) Data Science (Graduate Apprenticeship)
Many organisations recognise the importance of green skills for the evolution of our sector and offer free resources to help promote sustainability and climate literacy. These resources are open to everyone and often don’t require any prior experience in green and sustainable finance.
Introduction to Sustainable Finance
TCFD Online Courses
