A teenager from Aylesbury who didn’t want to go to university has won an accounting apprenticeship worth £15,000.
18-year-old Rebecca Day is one of 15 young people chosen from more than 300 applicants to win a scholarship to study accountancy with Kaplan Financial.
Each scholar gains the opportunity to complete their Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification followed by further training to become a qualified accountant.
Rebecca managed to succeed each stage of the selection process, impressing the panel of interviewers with her passion for numbers, solving problems and aspiration to work in an accountancy related field.
She will be starting her placement with accountant giants RSM Tenon at the end of August working in the audit team there alongside training with Kaplan.
Rebecca said: “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity, university wasn’t for me, and it’s almost impossible to get into the accounting industry without a higher education qualification.
“An apprenticeship is a great route for people like me who know exactly what career they want.
“I feel I learn better by putting theory into practise, rather than just being sat in a classroom every day.
“I also believe the experience will make me more employable after my scholarship has finished, and I won’t have a ton of debt to worry about!”
The successful candidates will receive £15,000 worth of accountancy apprenticeship training followed by a further professional qualification to become a charted Accountant.
Alex Shacklock, RSM Tenon training director said: “At RSM Tenon, we provide another alternative to university that allows young people to develop a professional career and gain valuable hands-on experience whilst studying for accountancy qualifications.
“The apprenticeship scheme with Kaplan is a great example of this.
“We recognise that there are masses of talent out there and school leavers provide something different.
Their fresh approaches, innovation and energy help to drive our business internally, whilst also improving service to our clients.
“The apprenticeship scheme is a very attractive alternative to university for the student, and a great opportunity for us to work with, develop and retain talent at a very early stage.”
Victoria Jarvis, Kaplan Apprenticeship Co-ordinator said: “Congratulations to Rebecca.
“The competition was exceptionally high this year, so she should be proud of her self; to be awarded a place is an achievement in itself.
“The scholarship programme is a great opportunity especially in a time where it’s so hard for young adults to find employment with work based training and with university fees being so expensive. Apprenticeships are a real viable career option to become a qualified accountant without getting into debt.
“I’m sure Rebecca will enjoy her time working for RSM Tenon and training with Kaplan.”
Kaplan is one of the world’s leading providers of lifelong education and training. Programmes include apprenticeships, vocational training, professional qualifications, online learning and degree programmes.