studying A Level accounting at. Priestley ... in Management Accounting was the
qualification for her and ... Fujitsu, CIMA and BPP provide she'll be fully prepared.
CIMA Higher Apprenticeship Combine the right ingredients to create a winning career If you’re after a high-flying professional career but you’re not sure the university route is for you, never fear; there are plenty of other options. For example, a Higher Apprenticeship combines working with an employer and studying with a leading training provider like BPP Professional Apprenticeships to gain top level qualifications. Plus, you’ll be paid a salary – so you earn as you learn. So, what are the ingredients you need to make it all happen?
Meet the student
Checking all the options
18 year-old Rachel Hodgson was studying A Level accounting at Priestley College, Warrington when she decided that an apprenticeship was the right option for her.
There’s more than one way to prepare for a great career though, so Rachel’s college made sure she was well-informed.
“I wanted to start my career as soon as I left college, earn a wage as well as gain professional qualifications,” she says. Rachel made sure that starting work would suit her by getting some work experience at an accountancy firm. “I realised that as well as enjoying the work, I also really liked being in an office Monday to Friday, meeting new people and working as a team.”
“We really focus on ensuring our students are aware of all their options,” says Peter Bann, Head of Accounting at Priestley College. “This allows them to make an informed choice about which qualification they want to go on to study.” Rachel investigated other possibilities and was offered a place at university, but the combination of work and study on an apprenticeship proved to be the most appealing recipe for success. “Once I’d made my decision, it was a case finding the right role, which can be really hard,” she says.
Become an apprentice cimaglobal.com/myapprenticeship
Perfect match The qualification That’s where the next ingredient - the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Management Accounting qualification - helped her. A CIMA spokesman visited her college to hold a skills workshop and told Rachel about a great opportunity. “I mentioned a new vacancy at Fujitsu to Rachel, who promptly applied,” says Ian Stapleton, Business Development Manager at CIMA. “The introduction of the CIMA Higher Apprenticeship has been fantastic, it truly allows students to start work, receive top quality training and progress their career straight from college.”
Fujitsu, the largest Japanese employer in the UK, recognises that apprentices like Rachel are vital for its future success. “Apprenticeships are becoming a growing option for well-qualified school leavers who may not wish to go to university,” says Fujitsu’s Peter Whitehead. “We don’t want to miss out on that talent.” To secure her place on the apprenticeship programme Rachel needed to make it through an interview. Peter explains that they weren’t just looking for good grades and willingness to learn – the whole person is important. “We’re looking for candidates who will fit in with the organisation,” he says. “We like realism, openness and the ability to deal with people.”
The apprentice! The training provider The academic training part of Fujitsu’s CIMA apprenticeship would be delivered by BPP. “Fujitsu wanted someone with strong numerical and analytical skills, who had a strong desire to progress in Management Accountancy, and who had an appetite to learn while working,” says Nadine Hughes, BPP Apprenticeships Recruitment Manager, who had met Rachel at Priestley College. “I was delighted when Rachel applied as I knew she was perfect for the role.”
The employer Rachel had the work experience, the academic background, knew that the CIMA Higher Apprenticeship in Management Accounting was the qualification for her and had found the ideal training provider with BPP Professional Education. Now she needed the final vital ingredient to start creating that career: the right employer. “Fujitsu appealed to me because as well as being a hugely successful international company, they are looking to develop their apprentices,” she says. As they hope to keep their apprentices on after they have finished their training, Rachel felt confident that Fujitsu was the company for her.
Thanks to her hard work and good preparation and with help from Priestley College and BPP “Nadine was a huge support,” she recalls, Rachel aced the interview and was offered a Higher Apprenticeship with Fujitsu. Nadine believes that Rachel has definitely found the winning formula. “I’m confident that with the training Fujitsu, CIMA and BPP provide she’ll be fully prepared to progress to a long term career in Management Accounting.” As for Rachel, she’s put all the right ingredients together and is ready to start her career. “I’m nervous about my first day, but excited too,” she says. “And I’m really looking forward to going back to Priestley College to speak to students about my apprenticeship experience and inspire others to follow the same path”
Apprenticeships are becoming a growing option for well-qualified school leavers who may not wish to go to university.
Become an apprentice cimaglobal.com/myapprenticeship
Fujitsu Fujitsu is one of the world’s leading IT systems, services and products providers, delivering solutions to customers in over 70 countries through a global workforce of 170,000 employees. Fujitsu is also the largest Japanese employer in the UK and Ireland, where it employs over 14,000 people and generates annual revenues of £1.7 billion. From enabling everyday activities like driving licence applications and benefits payments through to banking transactions, high street shopping and much more besides, Fujitsu touches the lives of millions of people every day.
CIMA The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, founded in 1919, is the world’s leading and largest professional body of Management Accountants, with over 203,000 members and students operating in 173 countries, working at the heart of business. CIMA members and students work in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. For more information about CIMA, please visit cimaglobal.com CIMA Apprenticeship Information for employers cimaglobal.com/cimaapprenticeship CIMA Apprenticeship Information for prospective students cimaglobal.com/myapprenticeship
BPP Professional Apprenticeships BPP are leading education training provider offering Professional Apprenticeships in Business, Finance and Law. BPP provide a fully managed service, working with employers to select and tailor an apprentice programme to their business needs, assist in the recruitment process and support both the apprentice and employer throughout their apprenticeship for the best possible results. For more information please visit bpp.com/apprenticeships
Become an apprentice cimaglobal.com/myapprenticeship
