TWO BCoT business students have been selected for jobs at an Andover-based insurance broker after competing for the posts against thousands of applicants.

The three-year programme at Be Wiser Insurance includes a company-sponsored qualification, the equivalent to a degree, which will see them become ADip Qualified through the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Chloe Livingstone and Chloe Buck, pictured, have spent the last two years at BCoT working towards a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business.

The girls always knew that university or the world of work were both going to be viable options for them after the course and they are delighted that they have found a route that combines both.

The girls met representatives from Be Wiser Insurance when they came to the college to talk to the group. Liking what they heard, the girls and many of their classmates quickly emailed their CVs to the firm and the two Chloes were invited to an assessment day. This involved them taking part in a range of activities, including time management tasks, a sales task and a one-to-one interview.

By the end of the day both of them had been offered a place on the company’s SureStart programme, earning a salary of £18,000.

Chloe Livingstone said: “I’m very excited, very nervous! I can’t believe what a great opportunity it is and that I’ll have a degree at the end of the three years without any debt. The help I’ve had from BCoT has been amazing – I could not have done this without them.”

Be Wiser Insurance is an independent broker and one of the fastest growing personal lines brokers in the UK, now with over 560 members of staff.

The company has been listed in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for three years in succession and won Employer of the Year at the 2013 Inspire Business Awards.

The working week for the girls will consist of 30 hours across every department in the company, including areas such as sales, customer service marketing, HR and audit/compliance. The remaining 10 hours per week is dedicated to classroom tuition and self-study in readiness for the insurance exams.

There are also many opportunities for team working and to learn all there is to know about leadership and management.

On completion of the three-year programme members of the SureStart programme are then able to fast-track themselves into a fantastic industry.

Chloe Buck is just as excited about this opportunity. She said: “I really wanted a career in the business world and this is a great chance to experience all areas. I will be able to see what it’s like in the different departments and I can’t wait!”

Their BCoT tutor Sarah Price is delighted to see such able and interested students recognised for their hard work. “This is an amazing achievement for the girls,” Sarah said. “You really cannot underestimate what a challenging and gruelling recruitment process this was. They have done so well. I believe there are only around 30 places on the programme each year and thousands apply.”