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SCHOOL'S OUT... FOREVER ; CareersTomorrow thousands of teenagers get their A-level results. Many will go on to university but increasingly businesses... [Bristol Evening Post (England)](Bristol Evening Post (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SCHOOL'S OUT... FOREVER ; CareersTomorrow thousands of teenagers get their A-level results. Many will go on to university but increasingly businesses are offering other routes into successful careers. ONE of Bristol's leading accountancy firms is calling on students to consider the merits of school leaver programmes as an alternative career path to university. Graham Randall, below, partner and head of BDO LLP in Victoria Street, Bristol, believes such schemes are an attractive option for students looking for an alternative to full-time university education. He said: "The traditional route into professions such as accountancy is via university. However, applying for a degree is no longer the straightforward decision that it was once was. "With the recent increase in university tuition fees and the average student leaving university with debts of around Pounds 30,000, an increasing number of talented A-level students are looking at school leavers programmes. "One of the best things about our school leavers programme is that trainees earn as they learn, with the security of a permanent salary that rises as they progress through the scheme. "Those who enrol can become a fully qualified accountant in five years, which is a year less than a graduate given that the average university degree lasts three years and it takes an additional three years to qualify as a chartered accountant." BDO has 100 school leavers enrolled on its a programme with 90 more set to join the firm after the summer. Applications will open for the next academic year on 1 September, with a further 100 places available for the 2015 intake. Hallam Sullinge-Farrall, 20, is one of the trainees currently enrolled on the scheme in Bristol. He strongly considered going to university but was put off from applying by the rise in tuition fees and lack of job security for graduates. He said: "It was a steep learning curve to go from full time education straight into the workplace but BDO provides plenty of support and have made me feel part of the team from day one. I am progressing all the time and being able to learn from industry experts on a day-to-day basis is extremely valuable. I would certainly recommend the programme to anyone looking to get into the accountancy profession that is unsure about the university route." Daisy Mackay, 22, is coming towards the end of her first year of the programme in Bristol and is based in the firm's audit division. She said: "I was not convinced that university was necessarily the best option for me, particularly after the rise in tuition fees, and so I explored other options. I think the main advantage of the scheme is that I am studying to gain a well recognised, professional qualification while putting into practice on a daily basis the areas covered by the exams." Getting involved in accountancy isn't just about number crunching. It can provide ambitious students with a lifelong career in business and commerce, with many travelling the world dealing with international businesses. One of BDO's previous trainees is Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, below, now chief executive of Bristol-born Mitie Group plc, which has revenues of more than Pounds 2 billion. One of the firm's current rising stars is Tim Everitt, 24, who joined BDO at the age of 18 on the firm's school leaver programme. He has risen through the ranks to become an audit manager at the Bristol office and was recently named in Accountancy Age's '35 under 35', which showcases the accountancy profession's best and brightest talents in the UK. Tim's client base includes large international companies, including Specsavers and Agilent Technologies, which sees him regularly travel throughout Europe, the US and Asia. On the school leaver programme, Tim said: "One of the best things is that you instantly have the advantage of working with real experts on real business projects from day one. "I have learned a lot about the accountancy profession and business as a whole and have been lucky enough to travel around the world at the same time - it was definitely the right decision for me." DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVE ROUTE ? A PROFESSIONAL training organisation says demand for routes to careers that avoid university are growing. BPP Professional Education runs an annual three-day course at its Grove Avenue office to give students who are unsure about following the traditional university path an insight into the professional apprenticeships that are on offer in law, marketing, accountancy, financial services and business. Managing director Jonathan Snary said: "We received interest from students across the city who were eager to attend the course and receive a greater level of insight into the range of professional apprenticeships that are available. "Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the range of firms offering professional apprenticeships to college and school leavers who have chosen to enter into a professional career, but have decided university is not the right option for them." The event included representatives from BT, Deloitte and Burges Salmon offering students in-depth careers guidance. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |