12 months ago, the Walker& Sutcliffe team attended the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, where we were thrilled to be shortlisted within the SME category for our apprenticeship programme.
It was a real privilege to know that our approach to nurturing individuals entering accountancy, was acknowledged in this way.
25 Years Of Apprenticeships
Over 25 years, our chartered accountancy practice has supported 20 apprentices, including two interns in accountancy and marketing. Our Managing Partner, Nick Ledgard, explains: “We have supported formal qualifications, and on-the-job learning and helped individuals to build life skills for more than 25 years; we recognised the benefits of apprentices early and it has been part of our DNA ever since.”
Through our experiences of managing programmes and through feedback from our apprentices, we know that embarking on an accountancy apprenticeship can be both exciting and challenging.
With this in mind, we caught up with Alex Hyatt, Accounts Junior, who has been an apprentice at Walker &Sutcliffe for four years. Alex has fully embraced the apprenticeship opportunity and, as he counts down to completing what has been an exhilarating programme, he shares his top tips for success for aspiring apprentices.
Keep Up With Your Apprenticeship Study
Consistency is important when it comes to adopting good study habits.
While everyone’s approach to learning is different, I have found that dedicating a little time each day to learning has helped me to keep my knowledge fresh and stay on top of my coursework.
Find Your Preferred Learning Style
Each apprentice has a unique learning style. I would encourage all apprentices to explore different methods to find what works best, whether it's through completing exam questions or taking detailed notes for review.
Know the Structure of Your Apprenticeship Course
Understanding the structure of your apprenticeship course is essential for effective planning. Knowing the course layout allows an apprentice to organise their study schedule, prioritise tasks, and communicate effectively with employers regarding study needs –specifically support with key subjects and possible opportunities to gain experience in each topic.
Balance is Key
Maintaining a balance between study and personal well-being is crucial for success. It’s really important to take time for mental and physical health to ensure a fulfilling apprenticeship experience. I do this by allocating time for study each day, once I have done this, I know that my time is my own and I can switch off from both work and learning.
Accept All Offered Help
Apprentices have access to numerous support networks, mentorship programmes, and well-being resources. Embracing these opportunities can help to maximise learning and personal growth.
One of the benefits of apprenticeships is that you are surrounded by a team of knowledgeable and experienced people – don’t be afraid to ask for their help, and take as much time as you can with your mentor and team.
Offering a helping hand
Help your fellow apprentices, after all, you never know when you will need a helping hand too!