Accountancy firm enlists bumper intake of 17 apprentices as part of ongoing learning programme
A LEADING Cumbrian accountancy firm has supercharged its commitment to the ongoing learning and professional development of its staff – by enlisting 17 new apprentices.
Saint & Co offers a variety of apprenticeship programmes across four office bases in Cumbria to support people wanting to either start a career or develop their knowledge and qualifications within the industry.
The company has an annual apprenticeship programme, and this year widened its scope to provide more learning opportunities to a larger range of apprentices.
Ten of the firm’s new apprentices are based in the company’s Carlisle office, with Alex Lamont and Katy North working towards their Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) qualification, while Nathan Ellwood, Aidan Wilson and John Glendinning are studying for their Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 3 status.
Abbie Richardson, Grace Emerson, Steph Every, Ryan Coulthard and Hannah Brown are working towards achieving their ACA Chartered Accountant qualification.
Teenager Alex, 17, has started working towards his ATT qualification after realising Sixth Form wasn’t for him. He will combine two years of studying at Kaplan Financial in Newcastle with working in the firm’s Carlisle office.
He said: “I did a year of Sixth Form but decided I preferred more practical learning so I went looking for an apprenticeship, which meant I could still get my qualifications while getting experience in the working world.
“I’ve always loved maths and had always wanted to be an accountant, so when I got this apprenticeship with Saint & Co it seemed like everything had fallen into place.
“I am loving my time here so far because the team is so fantastic that I feel I can ask them anything, and they treat me like I’m part of the team and not a newcomer to the industry fresh from school.”
In its latest intake, Saint & Co offered four apprenticeships at its Ambleside office, two in Whitehaven and Millom, and one in Wigton, in addition to the 10 at Carlisle.
The firm’s Student Training Partner, Sophie Graham, oversees the apprenticeship programme and said the bumper intake highlights Saint & Co’s desire to support people in their professional development journey, whatever route that might be.
She said: “Working with apprentices is very important to us as a company and we want to ensure that we offer wider career pathways for all, and not potentially miss out on somebody who doesn’t go down the more traditional route of a university degree.
“The majority of partners within Saint & Co who started with the company as students themselves, so we know first-hand how effective they can be as a starting point in somebody’s career.
“We often find apprentices bring a fresh perspective on things and make sure we are moving with the times, and the company is certainly feeling the benefits of working with so many apprentices.”
Saint & Co’s apprenticeship programme is aimed at adults of any age and experience.
Anyone wishing to apply for an apprenticeship with Saint & Co should send a CV and cover letter to Sophie Graham at sophie.graham@saint.co.uk.
