New accounting apprenticeship courses launched tomorrow
Details of a new style apprenticeship in accounting will be revealed to employers in the region tomorrow (Thursday, June 9) at a special briefing in Cavan Town.
Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) are launching the apprenticeship, in partnership with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board and they are briefing interested employers in the region tomorrow at 12.30pm in the Cavan Crystal Hotel.
Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board is only one of 5 regions in the country selected to run this apprenticeship which according to the ETB is designed to meet a skills shortage in finance and accounting in the region.
The two-year programme combines ‘on-the-job’ work experience with college. Apprentices will work in their employer’s company four days a week, and attend classes one day a week. The apprentices are also given three weeks’ study leave each year. It is open to school-leavers or mature learners who are focused on a career in accounting.
According to John Kearney, Education Officer, Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, this new approach to training in a traditional business sector will be of benefit to both employers in the region and students seeking a career. “It is not just open to accountancy companies but it will be of benefit to any company with an accounts and payroll department. Employers will have access to staff while they are training. Apprentices will secure a job in a local company, study at a local college, and most importantly, they’ll earn while they learn. After just two years they will have a nationally and internationally recognised qualification, solid work experience, and the chance to pursue a Level 9 qualification with Chartered Accountants Ireland. “
The initiative by the local ETB is designed to support the growth of local business sector according to John Kearney. “Young people will not have to leave the region to train and employers will have the benefit of their skills while they are training. It will bring significant benefits to local businesses, as well as local parents and students who would prefer to avoid the ever-increasing costs of college. Where this apprenticeship has been rolled out elsewhere large and small accountancy practices, service firms and industry employers have already committed to taking on school-leavers as Accounting Technician Apprentices.”
The ETB official says there is a growing demand for a more employer based approach to training. “The apprenticeship system is undergoing major reform and expanding into new industries and this new programme is part of the Government’s National Skills Strategy 2025. It is a very viable alternative to the traditional full-time college route into a career in accounting.”
The programme commences in September 2016. Further information on the apprenticeship can be obtained from Cavan Monaghan ETB at (047) 30888 or Accounting Technicians of Ireland on (01) 649 8100.