By David Richmond, Accounting Partner, Armstrong Watson Accountants, Business and Financial Advisers

THIS week sees the celebration of apprenticeships, with the annual National Apprenticeship week running from February 7 to 13. As a firm we are strong advocates of the apprenticeship scheme as we believe not only do they provide individuals with valuable skills and experience they need for a successful career – they provide businesses with brilliant people.

While some individuals thrive in a formal full-time college or university setting, some, and certainly a growing number of roles, are better suited to a hands-on learning approach within a live working environment. Unfortunately, apprenticeships have been surrounded by many myths over the years, and for those considering a career within a business, like an accountancy firm such as Armstrong Watson, I’d like to bust those.

Myth 1 – Apprenticeships are only for people aged 16 to 18. False – Our accountancy trainee groups are made up of people of all ages. This isn’t just for new hires; we also utilise the apprenticeship as a means to support existing colleagues to upskill. Myth 2 – An apprenticeship isn’t a real job. False – Apprenticeships are not about making tea and photocopying; at Armstrong Watson our apprentices are involved in valuable client work that supports the wider business. Studying via the apprenticeship means they also benefit from a structured and well supported study pathway. Myth 3 – Apprenticeships don’t lead to real qualifications and will limit my career progression. False – We offer the opportunity to study at Levels 3, 4, 5, and even level 7 – equivalent to a Masters degree. Both the ACA and CTA supported at AW are Chartered qualifications and on completion the apprentices are either a Chartered Accountant (ACA) or a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA). Myth 4 – I won’t have a job at the end of my apprenticeship. False – We are committed to progressing our apprentices through to attaining their qualification and progression into further roles in the business, so all new hire apprentices are employed on a permanent basis rather than temporary or fixed-term contracts.

So if you are looking towards the first steps of a career or a totally new direction, please consider the many benefits of hands-on learning. Likewise, if you’re a business owner, there are many benefits to ‘home-grown’ talent.

If you’d like to discuss a career in accountancy our learning and development team will be happy to help. Contact jane.kiernan@armstrongwatson.co.uk or for accountancy or business advice please contact david.richmond@armstrongwatson.co.uk