Showing a strong and ongoing commitment to training up the next generation of talent, Gloucestershire accountancy firm, Hazlewoods, took on a record number of apprentices this September 2023.
A total of 50 school leavers and graduates started AAT, ACA and ACA/CTA apprenticeships with the firm this month, taking its total number of apprentices up to 138 — more than a quarter of its 500-strong workforce across its four offices in Cheltenham, Staverton and Bristol.
Hazlewoods' well-established apprenticeship programme provides first-class training to young people across the county, without the need for them to take out loans or get into debt, giving them the opportunity to learn on-the-job from some of the country's leading accountants, as well as establishing relationships with some of the UK's top businesses.
The firm has close links with local schools and has taken on leavers from the likes of Balcarras; Bournside; Churchdown School; Pates Grammar School; Ribston Hall High School; Sir Thomas Rich's; and The Crypt School, as well as employing apprentices from further afield.
Hazlewoods also provides competitive salaries for its apprentices, starting at £20,000 for school leavers on the Level 4 AAT Apprenticeship, rising to £25,000 for graduates.
HR director for Hazlewoods, Sue Golding, said: 'We feel that both Gloucestershire and Hazlewoods have much to offer to potential new recruits, from the local area and increasingly those from further afield who may be looking to relocate.
'Our apprentices are our future. As our business continues to thrive so do the training opportunities alongside an impressive range of UK clients. I am so proud that we can offer such a significant proportion of apprenticeship and work placement opportunities to those students wanting to pursue a career in accountancy and business advisory.
'Furthermore, for those apprentices with ambitions to develop their career to their fullest potential — we offer a clear and supportive ‘Pathway to Partner’.'
Marketing director, Alison Townsend, added: 'By increasing the number of apprenticeships available we want to support the local economy and help ensure Gloucestershire is seen as an attractive and appealing place to work and live. We are committed to creating more opportunities to encourage local school leavers and graduates to remain in the county — whilst flying the Gloucestershire flag to attract new recruits to move into the area.
'This is an exciting time to join Hazlewoods — our revenues continue to grow year on year, and we have recently expanded into new offices on the Promenade in Cheltenham and Bristol city centre. As our client base grows accordingly — the breadth of commercial experience on offer to our apprentices is second to none.
'We have over 2,000 local clients in Gloucestershire, and many more national clients based all over the UK who our apprentices work alongside as they develop their careers, underpinned by an excellent training and support programme with friendly business mentors.'
Applications for the September 2024 school leaver and graduate apprentice training programmes open in October 2023, with apprentices of all ages encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit hazlewoods.co.uk/careers.
