University places slashed but A Level students have other
options to kick start their careers
Against a backdrop of mounting student debt, reduced university
places, budget cuts and increasing graduate unemployment, A Level student entry
training schemes could re-emerge to offer an alternative to talented students
looking to kick start their careers says PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).
The firm is offering 50 places across the
UK this year on its A Level training scheme to start in August and September.
The scheme offers an alternative to university where students earn while they
work towards a professional accounting or tax qualification, gaining a
qualification faster than those who attend university.
Sonja Stockton, Director, Talent Acquisition,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, commented: “In addition to reduced university places, students could soon be
forced to pay higher tuition fees. Already
facing debts of £22,000 on average upon graduation, this will bring the
investment they have to make in a degree much closer to home and some might even
wonder whether university really is the right option for them when they already
know what career they want to pursue.
“Since its launch ten years ago, PwC’s A Level entry scheme,
HEADstart, has recruited over 600 nationwide for trainee positions with students
earning while they work towards professional qualifications in tax and
assurance.
“A Level student entry schemes offer a different way
to acquire professional qualifications and are particularly suited to those who
have a clear career in mind when they leave school. Combining formal study with
on the job experience and personal coaching, puts everything you learn in your
studies straight into action.”
The
struggle to gain a university place is becoming a frightening reality for many
it is feared that as many as 200,000 hopefuls could miss out on a university
place this year Higher Education Statistics Agency. In addition, unemployment
for 16-24 year olds remaining at record levels, which might spark a renaissance
for specialist on the job training schemes. It is estimated that 26% of
employers have an A-Level entry scheme.
To
date, application rates have increased 15% year on year, and 68% overall since
2008. The requirements are 280 UCAS points or equivalent and trainees study for
the ACCA qualification or an ATT qualification in tax potentially leading to a
CTA.
Danielle Goddard is a trainee
associate working in assurance in the Hull office, who joined PwC via HEADstart.
She said:
“After deciding that accountancy was the right
career for me I applied to HEADstart as it genuinely does give you a head start
in your career. If you know that you want a career in accountancy, then there’s
no need to spend the time and money at university; you may as well get started
now.”“The main advantage is that you start working
and studying towards your professional qualification straight after leaving
college. This means you can be ACCA-qualified within four years of leaving
college, you will gain valuable work experience straightaway, and start earning
a salary, which increases year on year, plus there are no student debts to
repay.
“The ACCA qualification is
recognised globally, and there is even the opportunity to opt into the Oxford
Brookes university scheme, which means you can gain a BSc (Hons) in Applied
Accounting on top of the ACCA qualification.”
