Celebrating Apprentices

It’s National Apprenticeship Week. Time to shine the spotlight on the benefits of having an apprentice in your company and the benefits they bring to the party.

There’s always an apprentice at Ascentant. Because passing on knowledge, creating the next generation of legal cashiers and accountancy practitioners is close to the heart of every single team member.

Josh is our current apprentice, so we thought we’d let him do all the talking…

1) How long have you been at Ascentant?

I started in October 2019.

2) What’s your apprenticeship in and what level are you currently at?

My apprenticeship is AAT (accountancy) and I am on level 3.

3) Why did you choose the apprenticeship route?

When I was younger I was really good at maths and my teacher’s always told me I should be an accountant. When I left school I started applying for apprenticeship jobs because I was very clear on the route I wanted to take.

4) What do you enjoy most about being an Ascentant apprentice?

For me it’s the room to grow and the ability to get involved so heavily in client work, I am free to learn and develop my skill set. I have my own clients and I deal with everything that is to do with their account. I have brilliant support around me to help me and check I am doing everything perfectly. It also intrigues me in the conveyancing world how HUGE amounts of money that are transferred around, like someone who bought a Hippodrome for £6.7million. That’s pretty cool!

5) What advice would you give some in year 11 (or 13!) today about choosing the apprenticeship route?

I always knew what I wanted to do, if you don’t know then don’t rush into the apprenticeship route. It’s important to go and see the providers and what they have on offer. It’s a great route to take as you’re earning, learning and gaining great experience. It will make you more employable over someone who hasn’t taken the same route as you understand MORE than just the theory of the job. I am very hands on and KNOW how to do the job in practise which made the apprenticeship route so attractive to me personally.

6) How important is it to work with the apprenticeship provider?

Holly is the best part of my AAT, she’ll help me anytime with 1:1s and tutoring me; even as I near the end of the assessment period so don’t have to be in college as much. During my level 2, which only took me three months to complete, I went into college one day a week. The pace was much slower at college compared to at work so it’s been nice being in the office all the time and just popping in when I need to during my level 3 which I am waiting for the final results of my assessment for right now. Having a provider who supports the best way to learn has been great for me.

7) What’s your favourite lunch when you are in the office?

I love it when there’s a team Dominoes… it’s my favourite treat.