Hearing from 'The Apprentice' Identifying a progressive and future-proof career path for your students – via an Accounting Technician Apprenticeship – in these unsettled times
"I feel I have gained a lot of experience in a short time and continue to learn new things every day"
"There is no stigma around being younger or inexperienced, and even the partners are very approachable and easy to talk to"
52 Education
ACHIEVING over 550 points in his Leaving Cert, twentytwo-year-old Matthew Casey, surprised family and friends by turning down a place on UCC’s commerce course, instead taking up an apprenticeship to become an Accounting Technician. “Yes, people thought it was the wrong move,” explains Matthew. “There is a feeling that the best pathway when you finish is college. I have proven them wrong with a valuable qualification, and I got to earn money at the same time.” Initially only applying to the Apprenticeship as a fallback option, a summer working in a restaurant led Matthew to a decision to gain experience in his chosen field of accounting and finance from the get-go. Following two years apprenticing with Clonakilty firm, Crowley and McCarthy Chartered Accountants, Matthew is part of the first cohort of students to graduate from the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship and is now on his way to becoming a Chartered Accountant. Skills to progress The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship is a two-year, work-based programme which enables participants to work in the office for four days a week during the academic year, and study with a local college one day a week. With two intakes in January and September each year, and applications opening early next spring for the September 2021 intake, students have the opportunity to gain a two-year contract with a local employer, an
in-demand accountancy QQI Level 6 award, whilst having their college tuition fully funded by SOLAS, the further education and training agency. The qualification equips students with the skills to progress both within their role and organisation, bringing real value to core business functions such as accounts preparation, recording receipts and payments, processing invoices, payroll, and budgeting. Adrianna’s first year experience Adrianna Rup, aged twenty-one from Finglas, is a now second-year apprentice with Grant Thornton and cites the ability to earn while you learn as a big draw when considering what to do after sixth year as she wanted to be able to contribute financially at home. Recommending the programme as an ideal jumpingoff point for secondary school students to enter the professional world, Adrianna says of her own experience: “There is no stigma around being younger or inexperienced, and even the partners are very approachable and easy to talk to. “I completed my Leaving Cert in 2019 and didn’t have much work experience other than babysitting, waitressing and shop assistant roles. I stumbled across the apprenticeship online by chance while looking for options. “I feel I have gained a lot of experience in a short time and continue to learn new things every day. You gain a very in-depth knowledge of what you are studying and witness first-hand how an accountancy firm operates.”
