PKF Francis Clark is supporting the 11th National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2018, by celebrating their apprentices’ success and encouraging school leavers to consider the apprenticeship route to give their career in accountancy a head start.
With attitudes towards higher education changing, apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular career path. Findings from recent research has shown that going to university is no longer necessarily the best choice for everyone and in addition to this, over half of the university students that were surveyed had stated that they do not believe that having a degree guarantees a good job.
PKF Francis Clark, who has eight offices across the South and South West, currently have 180 students undertaking training with the firm, 74 of whom are AAT and ATT apprentices. The firm took on 23 school leavers in 2017 and 2018 alone. The accountancy apprenticeship programme is very well received and has drawn in over 300 applications across the firm this year.
The firm’s comprehensive training programme combines the technical and professional knowledge and skills to lay the foundation for becoming a trusted accountant and is a fantastic alternative to university. Apprentices are exposed to a wide range of practical experience, as well as obtaining a professional qualification via an apprenticeship standard. Once completed, apprentices are then given the opportunity to progress further and work towards the more advanced ACA qualification to earn the prestigious title of Chartered Accountant.
Louis, AAT apprentice in the Poole office said: “As an apprentice at PKF Francis Clark, I have been given the opportunity to earn a competitive salary whilst enjoying a good work life balance. I am able to continue to learn and gain work related qualifications without the debt of University. The team here are very supportive towards my career and we also have a great social aspect of work- there are always social events to attend throughout the year which bring the office together!”
PKF Francis Clark have also spent time engaging and building relationships with local schools, promoting a career in accountancy. Last year the firm hosted an information evening in their Poole office, in which almost 30 Year 12’s and 13’s attended along with their parents. Students were able to hear about our programmes in more detail, were given the chance to speak to current trainees on a one to one basis and have a look around the office.
Amy Taylor, Director of HR at PKF Francis Clark said: “Our trainees play a pivotal role in our organisation, we hire young people straight from school or college as we can offer an alternative to university. You can gain professional qualification and work towards your chartered qualifications in a similar time frame to those joining from university, whilst gaining valuable work experience. We love to watch our trainee’s grow within the firm through their technical and professional development and feel proud every time they pass their exams. Our trainees are the future of our firm and we ensure that we invest in their development to create well rounded individuals who are equipped to become trusted business advisors of the future”.
If you are interested in finding out more about why PKF Francis Clark is the place for your career, please click here.