The benefits apprentices can bring to your business

At Armstrong Watson, we are strong advocates of apprenticeship schemes as we believe, that not only do they provide individuals with the valuable skills and experience they need for a successful career, but they also provide businesses with brilliant people.

This week sees the celebration of apprenticeships, with the annual National Apprenticeship Week running from 10^th – 16^th February. It’s an opportunity to applaud our apprentices for their achievements and the valuable role they play in supporting the wider business.

In the past, there were misconceptions of apprenticeships – that they were low-level qualifications or second best to a degree, or that employers need to “babysit” apprentices – but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Armstrong Watson offers high-end apprenticeships, combining study with hands-on experience working within our accounting teams. Our apprentices, who are studying towards their Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) qualifications, are involved in valuable client work and benefit from a structured and well-supported study pathway, with the opportunity, once completed, to progress to become a chartered accountant or tax adviser. We also offer payroll apprenticeships too.

Not only do apprenticeships offer a viable alternative for those who don’t want to go to university, they also provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds the chance to gain the experience and skills needed to hit the ground running, and for a business, they help deliver the skilled workforce it needs to grow and thrive.

By creating a culture within your business of continuous learning and allocating time for employees to complete their training and achieve their career goals, you put yourself in a healthy position of having a skilled workforce who can deliver.

Businesses are wise to look outside of the traditional methods of recruitment and could certainly start by considering taking on more apprentices.

Armstrong Watson is currently recruiting for its next intake of trainees. The firm is offering 25 AAT and five ATT positions across its office in the North of England and Scotland with applications open until Wednesday, 5 March 2025. It is also soon to welcome applications for a Payroll Administrator Apprentice in Newcastle.

In addition, the business is looking for 40 graduates to join their Graduate Trainee Scheme to become Chartered Accountants or Chartered Tax Advisers, with applications closing 25 April 2025.