Wrexham apprenticeship: Moneypenny Academy opens places 2026

Key Points

• Moneypenny has established an Apprenticeship Academy in its Wrexham office that can accommodate up to six young people aged 16 and above.
• This 14-month course is jointly provided by Coleg Cambria and provides a City & Guilds diploma in Customer Services.
• The apprentices will undergo three weeks of training initially and then get to work directly with calls in various sectors like property, legal, healthcare, and finance services.
• A successful apprentice may also be considered for a permanent job with Moneypenny after successfully completing the scheme.
• An open evening is being arranged on Thursday 3 September for interested people and their parents.
• No prior knowledge or experience in customer services is needed; just need someone who likes to talk to people.
• The apprenticeship scheme is fully paid for young people aged between 16 and 24 years starting from August 2026, as per Welsh Government regulations.

Wrexham (Wales Times) September 02, 2026 – The uk/local/wrexham/">Wrexham-based customer conversations company Moneypenny has officially opened its new Apprenticeship Academy, creating a structured pathway for up to six young people to enter the workforce while gaining a recognised qualification. The initiative forms part of the company’s wider commitment to skills development in north Wales and aligns with recent changes to apprenticeship funding that make training fully accessible for 16–24-year-olds.

As reported by Insider Media, the 14-month programme is run in partnership with Coleg Cambria and will see apprentices based at Moneypenny’s award-winning headquarters in Wrexham while working towards a City & Guilds Diploma in Customer Service. The scheme is open to applicants aged 16 and over, with no prior customer service experience necessary. Instead, the company is looking for friendly, enthusiastic individuals who enjoy talking to others and want to develop their confidence in a supportive environment.

How does the apprenticeship programme work?

The apprenticeship begins with a comprehensive three-week training period, during which participants learn to use Moneypenny’s bespoke in-house call management system and develop core workplace skills. Following this induction, apprentices gain extensive hands-on experience handling a variety of calls and enquiries across multiple sectors, including property, legal, healthcare and finance.

Throughout the 14-month programme, apprentices are supported by an on-site tutor from Coleg Cambria and are provided with dedicated study time to help them achieve their qualification. The structured learning pathway is designed to develop knowledge, skills and confidence, with apprentices becoming experts in telephone answering, client account management and understanding wider business operations.

According to the job specification published on Cambria Job Shop, apprentices work 37.5 hours per week on a rotating shift pattern that includes working one Saturday or Sunday out of every four weeks. The role is based at Moneypenny’s Wrexham office, which features state-of-the-art facilities including communal spaces, a wellbeing room and free on-site gym access.

What benefits and support do apprentices receive?

Apprentices on the Moneypenny scheme receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their wellbeing and professional development. The salary for the Customer Service Apprenticeship is listed at £15,600 per annum, with apprentices entitled to 33 days of annual leave including bank holidays.

Additional benefits include mental health support through an Employee Assistance Programme with access to an on-site mental health counsellor, access to a 24/7 doctor line, subsidised meals and free on-site gym access. Academic support is provided through the partnership with Coleg Cambria, ensuring apprentices have the guidance needed to complete their City & Guilds Diploma successfully.

As noted in the job posting, comprehensive training is provided with opportunities for long-term career progression across the business upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. The company has indicated that those who successfully complete the programme could be offered permanent roles at Moneypenny.

What do Moneypenny leaders say about the academy?

Wendy Swash, chief operating officer at Moneypenny, emphasised the continuing value of human skills in an era of increasing automation. As reported by Insider Media, Ms Swash said: “AI is changing the way businesses communicate, but that doesn’t mean there are fewer opportunities for people. In fact, it is making great human skills even more valuable.”

“At Moneypenny, our people and technology work side by side. We have developed a highly capable AI Receptionist that gives businesses fast, consistent support around the clock. Alongside it, our brilliant people bring empathy, understanding and the personal connection that can make all the difference to a customer,” Ms Swash added.

Regarding the Apprenticeship Academy specifically, Ms Swash stated:

“Our Apprenticeship Academy is a chance for young people to build their confidence, learn valuable skills and take their first steps into work. They don’t need any previous customer service experience. We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic people who enjoy talking to others, want to learn and genuinely care about helping people.”

When and how can prospective applicants find out more?

Prospective applicants and their families are invited to attend Moneypenny’s Apprenticeship Academy Open Evening on Thursday 3 September 2026. The event will provide an opportunity to meet the team, tour the Wrexham headquarters and ask questions about the programme directly to staff members.

Places for the open evening can be booked through Eventbrite, according to the announcement covered by Insider Media. The timing of the open evening comes just days after the scheme was publicly announced, with Wales247 reporting the launch on 3 September 2026.

Application details and further information about the apprenticeship are available through Moneypenny’s careers portal, as indicated in the Cambria Job Shop listing.

Background of the development

The launch of Moneypenny’s Apprenticeship Academy comes against a backdrop of significant policy changes affecting apprenticeship provision in Wales. From 1 August 2026, apprenticeship training for young people aged 16–24 became fully funded, including additional government funding once an employer has exhausted their apprenticeship levy. This change applies to both levy-paying and non-levy employers, subject to funding rules, and is intended to remove financial barriers to skills development.

Moneypenny, co-founded by Rachel Clacher CBE, is one of the UK’s leading customer conversations companies and is headquartered in Wrexham. The company has previously been associated with skills and employment initiatives in the region, including hosting marketing community events focused on AI and digital skills development. Ms Clacher was recently appointed as the new Chancellor of Wrexham University, underscoring the company’s civic role in the local economy.

The partnership with Coleg Cambria reflects a broader trend of further education colleges working closely with employers to deliver work-based learning. ColegauCymru (Colleges Wales) has highlighted how high-quality, well-funded apprenticeships can help build the workforce needed to support industry, productivity and prosperity across Wales.

Prediction: How this development can affect young jobseekers in north Wales

The establishment of Moneypenny’s Apprenticeship Academy is likely to have a measurable impact on youth employment prospects in Wrexham and the wider north Wales region. With up to six places available per cohort and the potential for multiple intakes throughout the year, the scheme could provide dozens of young people with structured entry into the labour market over the coming years.

Given the fully funded status of apprenticeships for 16–24-year-olds from August 2026, similar initiatives by other employers in the region may follow, creating a multiplier effect on skills provision. The focus on customer service skills, combined with exposure to AI-enabled systems, positions apprentices to develop competencies that are transferable across sectors including property, legal, healthcare and finance.

For young people who might otherwise face barriers to employment, the combination of paid work, formal qualification and potential permanent employment offers a credible alternative to traditional academic routes. If Moneypenny converts a significant proportion of successful apprentices into permanent staff, as suggested in its recruitment materials, the scheme could contribute to reducing long-term youth unemployment in the area.