Armstrong Watson partners with Association of Apprentices
The AoA supports apprentices by providing additional resources, access to advice and guidance, and connects them with other students and social groups
Armstrong Watson has partnered with the Association of Apprentices (AoA) as part of its commitment to provide “top-class” apprenticeships for young people.
It comes as the firm celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 6-12 February 2023, in a year that has seen a 100% increase in the number of students embarking on a career in accountancy.
According to Armstrong Watson, the new AoA partnership will “enhance the experience” the firm offers apprentices and follows recognition it received in 2022 from the Department for Education when it was named one of the UK’s top 100 apprenticeship employers in the UK.
The AoA supports apprentices by providing additional resources, access to advice and guidance, and connects them with other students and social groups.
Armstrong Watson provides trainees with fully-funded Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) apprenticeship programmes, combining study with on-the-job learning within its accounting teams.
Students then have the opportunity to progress onto the ACA Graduate Scheme to become chartered accountants.
There are currently 47 trainees studying towards their AAT or ATT and a further 49 completing a level 7 chartered accounting or tax qualification.
Paul Dickson, CEO and managing partner, said: “It’s essential we invest in the next generation of accountants and advisers. As a business, we are passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives, and one way we achieve that is by investing in young people to enable them to achieve a professional qualification that sets them up for life with a rewarding career.
“We have a long history of growing our own talent and those who join us will not only have the opportunity to become future business leaders, but as a top independent UK firm, they will work at the cutting edge of legislative and technical changes in accounting.”
He added: “We strongly believe our people are our business and we invest in ambitious individuals who are keen to launch their careers and take advantage of the development we offer.
“When we heard about the opportunity to partner with the Association of Apprentices it was too good to miss. This platform enhances the training experience for our apprentices as they start out on their professional career journey. Supporting our colleagues with their personal and professional development is vital to us.”
