A Belfast man has said a funded, two-year, work, earn and learn accounting programme, available in the Republic and Northern Ireland, allowed him shake ‘imposter syndrome’ and forge a career in the profession.

The highly respected two-year Accounting Technician Apprenticeship offered by ATI created over 200 jobs in the Republic, and 170 in Northern Ireland, last year.

Graduates qualify as accounting technicians and gain exam exemptions if they wish to become fully qualified accountants.

In the Republic, apprentices earn at least €26,325 a-year while attending lectures one day a week at a local college.

In Northern Ireland, the Level 5 programme sees locally placed apprentices earn at least the national minimum wage, or above.

Ulster University graduate Jack Plackett, from Jordanstown, is a past pupil of Belfast Royal Academy and was completing his undergraduate degree in International Hospitality Management when he learned of the Apprenticeship.

He undertook the programme at Dublin’s Morgan Hotel, located in the busy tourist hotspot of Temple Bar, and, on completion, became a senior accounts assistant there.

“I needed to grow my confidence,” said Jack.

“Having only ever worked in customer facing roles in part-time restaurant and bar work, I had imposter syndrome.

“But having completed the programme, my confidence has grown, and I am eager to take on more responsibility in the workplace.

“I loved the Apprenticeship. I had limited exposure to finance in my degree and found pairing classroom learning with practical experience very rewarding, allowing my confidence to grow.”

He worked four days a week at the Morgan Hotel while attending the Dublin southside Rathmines College of Further Education on the other day.

“If you are looking to enhance your knowledge and grow professionally within the field, ATI is the place to start. It has great online resources which let you study in whatever way works best for you. I would highly recommend it.

“Those wishing to change career or enhance existing knowledge will gain a great understanding of the fundamental principles of finance and accounting.

“This gives you a great base to progress and learn more within your place of work.

“At no stage are you left alone. The support network is brilliant.

“Having a workplace and student mentor means you are never at a loss for advice on how best to tackle a scenario or question.”

It is open to school leavers, career-changers, and mature learners alike.

The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship offered by ATI provides an alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to full-time college, or those who may have embarked on a university course and found it did not suit them.

It is also an attractive option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting.

Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector, have all embraced the programme.

Applications have opened for 60 places on the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme January intake, in partnership with the ATI Academy, Pearse Street, and Cork College of Further Education.

The apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner as training fees are covered by state agency, SOLAS.

Employers can avail of a grant of €2,000 per-year for each apprentice they employ.

According to Gillian Doherty, Chief Operations Officer at ATI, the Apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner.

“Apprentices bring the employer new talent and skills which can support the business, now and in the future,” she said.

“Graduates gain a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Accounting and are eligible to apply for the industry recognised professional MIATI award, having acquired practical, professional skills needed to fill a range of accounting and finance roles across all sectors.

“ATI is pleased our apprenticeship contributes towards job creation and business growth.

“Since the programme’s foundation in 2016, the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship has been the source of almost 1,200 jobs in the Republic and 1,000 in Northern Ireland.

“We now partner with 685 approved apprenticeship employers across 30 sectors in the Republic and in Northern Ireland this year we had 40 new employers engage and now partner with over 200 employers across 27 sectors.”

For more details, see accountingtechniciansireland.ie 

Accounting Technicians Ireland