Hunter people are looking at careers in areas such as financial services with The Greater Building Society again receiving a tremendous response to a call for applications for its annual trainee program.

A total of 200 people have applied this year. Just over 200 applications were received last year.

Greater Building Society chief executive John Arnold says short-listing of the applications is currently underway. Potential applicants are being invited to attend assessment centres this week where their skills in customer service, communication and attention to detail will be tested.

The Greater's trainee program has been operating for 11 years. The program is completed over two years. Trainees complete a Certificate III in Financial Services through The Institute of Financial Services while working at one of the Greater's branches.

The new recruits will start work at the end of February.

Mr Arnold says many of the past trainees have established a career at the Greater or within the financial services sector.

He says with the Greater's continued growth there are a range of opportunities for trainees.

“At the Greater we invest significant time and resources in the recruitment and development of our people to maintain our very high standard of customer service,” Mr Arnold says.

The Greater employs more than 650 people across its 64 branches in NSW and South East Queensland, and its Head Office at Hamilton in Newcastle.