SOUTH Eastern Regional College (SERC) is set to offer 20 accountancy apprenticeships in this academic year.
The aim of the apprenticeships, supported by Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) and Chartered Accountants Ireland, is to meet the growing demand for new talent in the profession and it is hoped that local companies will get involved.
The two-year programme, starting at SERC’s Lisburn Campus, has been developed by ATI and the Department for Employment and Learning, will allow participants to gain work experience and a level 5 professional qualification — the Diploma for Accounting Technicians from ATI.
The pilot was hailed by the CBI as “exactly the type of development” required in Northern Ireland. Higher Level Apprenticeships are the equivalent to Foundation degrees which combine vital on the job training and classroom learning to provide the skills they needed for their chosen career.
For the employer, the apprenticeships are a cost effective way of recruiting world class people to strengthen their business as the cost of the apprentice is subsidised by DEL.
Participants will complete on the job training four days per week and study in SERC one day per week, providing the technical knowledge their business needs to keep up to date with the latest techniques and technologies.
SERC principal and chief executive Ken Webb said: “This development demonstrates SERC’s commitment to working with local business to ensure our curriculum offer is both relevant and meaningful to support the future growth and expansion of local companies.”