Shorts apprentices tell their stories - #NAW2022

We are very lucky here at Shorts to enjoy the many benefits of working with a diverse team, including a large number of apprentices.

We currently have a significant number of apprentices, studying a variety of qualifications across Payroll, IT, Corporate Finance, Accounts, Tax and Private Client.

Apprenticeships have enabled us to adapt our training program to suit not only our needs, but provide our team with the opportunity to learn skills they wouldn't have had access to previously. 

For National Apprenticeships Week 2022, we spoke to three of our former apprentices to learn more about their experience whilst studying. Having completed their apprenticeships, all three are now full time members of our team.

• Htet Htet Khaing Win - Audit and Accounts Senior
• Sean Busby - Audit and Accounts Senior
• Lucy Pridmore - Receptionist and Administrator

What was it about apprenticeships that appealed to you?

Sean:

"The opportunity to study for a professional qualification. I studied for the ACA, which is a highly regarded accountancy qualification. Alongside that I got a good opportunity to develop the soft skills that will prove valuable to me later in my career."

Htet Htet:

"Being able to train and study at the same time helped me to develop more."

Lucy:

"The fact that it was on-the-job training. I was never really good in classrooms or in exams. I'm always better learning on the job. That was really what drew me in about apprenticeships."

What was most enjoyable about your apprenticeship?

Htet Htet:

"I think going into skills days and going into classes. You meet new people and make new friends. That was a really good thing about doing an apprenticeship"

Lucy:

"I enjoyed the fact I was at work five days a week and not in a classroom studying by myself. I got an opportunity to be in work and speak to all of my colleagues and clients. I appreciated the more social side of things."

Sean:

"My favourite part of the apprenticeship was the skills days the training provider put on. These were days aimed at developing the softer skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. They were interactive and a good way to speak to people I hadn't come across before."

What was your biggest challenge?

Lucy:

"My biggest challenge was about half way through, when my tutor quit. There was a couple of months when I didn't get any extra support."

Sean:

"For me it was the impact of the pandemic. It led to a lot of my exams being delayed, and I ended up having to do quite a bit of studying remotely. I prefer being in the classroom."

Htet Htet:

"The time management. Making time to study and work, especially while preparing for exams, while having a balanced lifestyle as well."

What support did you receive?

Sean:

"I was given quite a bit of support. The training provider put on 'gap programs' to bridge the gap between exams that had been delayed. I also got support from the employer - they were very flexible with things like exam dates and did everything they could to accommodate it."

Htet Htet:

"We have loads of skills coaches and training officers available. If we need more time, they are really flexible with you. They will give you time so you can work on it without getting stressed out."

Lucy:

"I was really lucky that the training providers gave me extra time towards the end. I was given two extra months to do some more studying before my final exam. If they had not given me that extra time, I don't think I would have passed, so I appreciated the extra time from them."

What was your biggest achievement?

Htet Htet:

"Being able to develop from not knowing much, while training and studying at the same time, meeting new people and developing as a young accountant."

Lucy:

"I think my biggest achievement was passing my exam first time. I do struggle with exams, and have never really enjoyed them. It was really good for me to pass first time and not have to worry about it after that."

Sean:

"I managed to pass all fifteen exams first time. I'm quite happy with that because it can be quite difficult balancing work with study."

Did you learn skills that employers value?

Lucy:

"One of the skills I really built on was my communication. One that I'm currently working on is my leadership skills. Learning about this in apprenticeship helps you forge that path to a future career."

Sean:

"I developed quite a bit of technical knowledge through the professional qualification, but also the soft skills as well. They can be transferrable for any job really."

Htet Htet:

"Definitely. We do skills days that are focused on soft skills like leadership, teamworking and negotiation. These are really important for your career path and working with clients as well."

Do you feel part of the team?

Sean:

"I've definitely felt valued as I progressed through the apprenticeship. I've been entrusted with more and more responsibility, given more and more challenging work, and the opportunity to contribute more to the team."

Htet Htet:

"Definitely. We do skills days that are focused on soft skills like leadership, teamworking and negotiation. These are really important for your career path and working with clients as well."

Lucy:

"I've never felt like 'just' an apprentice. I've always felt like part of the team. It's never felt like I've been excluded. From the very beginning, I'm a member of this team and not anything less."

Would you recommend apprenticeships to others?

Htet Htet:

"Yes, I would. It's different but it does develop you as a person. You learn while studying and you learn by doing the job.

Lucy:

"I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship. It's good for different types of people. If you enjoy the studying aspect, there's that. But you are also learning on the job so, if you do struggle with that like I did, that's really good for people like us."

Sean:

"I definitely recommend an apprenticeship. It's an opportunity to get a professional qualification, but to develop the other side of that as well. It will put you in great stead for any career you choose."