A south Dublin woman who found learning while working preferrable to college is on a path to becoming a fully qualified accountant.
Glencullen-based Lauren Hill (23) hailed a funded Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme.
Lauren has completed the two-year Accounting Technician Apprenticeship offered by ATI and is now studying to become a fully qualified accountant.
Graduates qualify as accounting technicians and can gain exam exemptions if they wish to move on to become fully qualified accountants.
Now working with RBK Chartered Accountants, Sandyford, Lauren says the Apprenticeship gave her the foundation to build a future in the profession.
She praised the flexibility offered by the work, earn, and learn programme, which sees locally placed apprentices take home at least the national minimum wage.
I found the traditional college route was not suitable to my way of learning, said Lauren.
I gained valuable hands-on experience which truly enhanced my understanding of the profession.
Working alongside experienced mentors and lecturers, I was able to apply classroom knowledge to real world situations and vice versa.”
Under the programme, Lauren worked four days a week, attending classes at Bray Institute of Further Education on the other day.
The opportunity to work whilst learning, was the key reason I chose the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship.
The level of support offered, and the small class sizes were both extremely beneficial.
Being able to put my academic work into practice and dealing with real life clients was huge for my professional development.
Lauren undertook her Apprenticeship at Duignan, Carthy, O’Neill Chartered Accountants, Ballsbridge.
I would highly recommend the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship.
It is suitable for anybody wishing to start a career in accounting from school leavers to career changers.
And it is a great opportunity to further develop a career in accounting, with the opportunity to continue studies in accountancy, with exam exemptions.
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship provides another option to the traditional route of going from the Leaving Certificate to college, with a highly regarded qualification.
It is a recognised alternative path to the accounting profession and is an excellent option for employers in a very competitive field.
The ATI Accounting Technician Apprenticeship will create over 200 jobs this year.
Apprentices earn at least €26,325 a-year while attending lectures one day a week at a local college.
It provides an alternative for school-leavers who prefer practical training to a full-time college programme - or those who started a college course and found it did not suit them.
It is also an option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting.
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.
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.
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.
We now partner with 685 approved apprenticeship employers across 30 sectors.
For more details, see accountingtechniciansireland.ie
Accounting Technicians Ireland
