A north Dublin woman who gained a nomination for Apprentice of the Year 12 months into a two-year funded work, earn and learn accounting programme says learning while working is her ideal combination.

Olivia Byrne (21), from Santry is apprenticed to Swords-based packaging suppliers Abco Kovex under the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship offered by ATI.

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

She praised the practicality of the work, earn, and learn programme, which sees locally placed apprentices take home at least the national minimum wage.

I have been working in accounts with Abco Kovex since I was 19 and they suggested I sign-up for the Apprenticeship to build my knowledge base, said Olivia.

The application process was relatively simple. As I was already employed with the company I was to be apprenticed to, it made things even smoother.

So, while I had an initial understanding of how things worked, I can see an improvement in myself between now and this time last year.

I have a much greater knowledge of processes.

Under the programme, Olivia works four days a week, attending classes at the City of Dublin FET College Íde, Finglas, Northwest Campus the other day.

As an apprentice as you can see how the things you are taught in lectures can be used in a work situation.

Scheduling the study element can be challenging, but is manageable.

I would heartily recommend the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship. Learning on the job allows you see real life situations play out.  That is extremely beneficial.

And you are always learning something useful and seeing a human perspective, which you would not pick up at college.”

The ATI Accounting Technician Apprenticeship will create over 200 jobs this year.

Apprentices earn at least €26,325 per annum 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 

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