As well as the potential cost savings of using the apprenticeship levy to fund professional qualification training for staff, the key benefits of a well-designed apprenticeship programme are:
- Better skills
- Better structure
More support
We spoke to:
Marc Godden, Management Accountant –
Line Manager to Apprentices and Apprentice himself
Tommy Routledge, Invoice Variance Control Team Leader –
Line Manager to Apprentices and Apprentice himself
David Richardson, FP&A Manager –
Line Manager to Apprentices
Catherine Saul, Finance Analyst –
Apprentice
What reservations did you have about implementing an apprenticeship programme?
Marc immediately expressed the principle worry we often hear from employers thinking about how to use apprenticeships in their finance teams. “My biggest concern for any of my trainees was finding the time to allow them the 20% Off-The-Job learning. At a time when, as a team, we are incredibly time-pressured and stretched thin this was something I feared would be a struggle. I worried that learning their new roles whilst also studying could lead to burn-out and wondered if this would be too much for them to take on.”
David echoed this initial concern over “a lack of work, life, and learning balance” for the trainees in his care.
What many employers don’t realise is that ‘Off-The-Job’ does not mean ‘out of the office’. Much of the work they would already be doing in the workplace will count to the 20% requirement. The apprenticeship just helps to formally recognise new knowledge and skills they are developing in their roles. It also brings structure to the support they receive in improving their ability to add value to their employer. Very few apprentices struggle to meet the 20% required, in fact, many will be doing 60% or 70% in reality.
Catherine added a further issue “I also have some team members who prefer to study at their own pace and tend to want to get the exams sat and completed as quickly as possible.”
It is important to remember that each apprenticeship programme is tailored to the needs of the individual learner. It can be adapted to the speed with which they want to progress towards qualification.
Why did you finally decide to commit to the apprenticeship programme?
David replied “it provided a great opportunity to work through the professional accountancy qualifications such as AAT, ACCA and CIMA with the bonus of learning the extra elements above and beyond the technical knowledge”. David refers here to the broad range of valuable ‘skills and behaviours’ that learners develop alongside passing their exams. He continued “it also provided the long-term benefit for both us the employer and the studier as apprenticeships produce a more skilled employee.”
At First Intuition, we believe that the ‘secret sauce’ that makes apprenticeship programmes so powerful for developing talent is the additional Skills & Behaviours that are included in addition to the technical accounting knowledge covered. These include communication, teamwork, negotiation, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership; all critical skills in building a successful professional career. As another apprenticeship client recently commented, “we are not just training accountants, we are developing leaders.”
Tommy added his own perspective “It is something that I have personal experience on as I am on the Level 4 apprenticeship and I know how it is structured and how good the programme is.”
Marc showed the importance of getting everyone involved to buy into the process from the start. Including the prospective learners themselves. “Only after having honest conversations with trainees and giving them the chance to express their opinions on the situation, and their views on things, the decision was made as a collective that the apprenticeship programme was the right route for them.”
At First Intuition, we work hard to engage everyone from day one. It is particularly important that learners and their line managers all approach the apprenticeship in an enthusiastic and positive way.
How are you finding it now that you have embraced the programme, have your original concerns continued?
Marc responded from his own perspective as an apprentice. “In terms of the actual programme itself I think it is amazing. Having a dedicated study coach throughout your whole journey, with regular check-ins and contact has been a huge help”.
Tommy’s view was that “I think it is great and the employees are getting on well and I have been able to offer up support”
Marc also said, “for me, personally one of the biggest benefits was having a set structure in place so that I could see how the last few years of my qualification was mapped out.”
David recognised that apprenticeship programmes do require careful consideration in advance. “The work, life, and learning balance is difficult but we manage and plan for these to minimise any impact.”
When employers first adopt an apprenticeship programme the team at First Intuition spend time with the learner and their line manager mapping out their study plan through the whole programme. Including how they will structure their exam sittings and how they will meet their 20% Off-The-Job learning requirement. Although this plan can be flexed over time it gives a great indication.
What has First Intuition done to ensure the programmes are going well?
Marc didn’t hesitate to say “First Intuition has been incredibly understanding and have been able to reorganise my timetable where needed. I am in regular contact with my study coach for not only matters affecting my apprenticeship but also general overall wellbeing. All the materials which they provide, both in terms of physical copies, and digitally on FI Learn are more than sufficient to enable exam passes.”
David stressed one of the key benefits of an apprenticeship programme; the extra support that his apprentices receive from First Intuition’s Skills & Development Coaches as well as their accountancy tutors. “The coaches from First Intuition ensure my apprentices have regular catch-ups and reviews to keep them on track.”
From Tommy’s perspective as a line manager, he commented “I have been given all information when I have asked for it. I have also been invited to join the apprentices I manage at their catch-ups with their development coaches. As well as receiving reports on them.”
Marc also said that he valued the “regular progress reviews and lots of support offered by the tutors.” He added “I am kept up to date with progress reports and am invited to attend as many review meetings as I want. Their communication, to me, is faultless.”
From their point of view as learners, Tommy said “my skills coach has been great”. Catherine added that she enjoyed the “regular progress reviews and lots of support offered by the tutors.
Hatty Addley, First Intuition Skills & Development Coach
Hatty has worked closely with the apprentices at Greene King since the introduction of the apprenticeship programme says she is really pleased with the way that things have gone. “The introduction of the apprenticeship programme for accountancy qualifications at Greene King has been really positive. Students have found the structure and support of the apprenticeship programme has helped them to progress through their studies more quickly than when they have studied independently. They feel they are able to develop a set of skills which help them to become a well-rounded accountant.”
What positives have you seen since Greene King implemented the accountancy apprenticeship programme?
“I am enjoying my apprenticeship greatly” said Tommy. “It has really re-energized me as I was previously studying through distance learning. I think the classroom sessions are more effective. My skills coach is also great.”
David said that he has seen “quicker progression” in the studiers on his team than previously.
“The structure of the course is very good and the support from a skills coach is helpful” said Catherine. “I have more confidence in my abilities as I have passed exams”. This is something we often hear from learners on apprenticeship programmes.
Tommy added “I have passed 2 exams so far and my enthusiasm for the course is much greater than when I was distance learning, it helps as I am held more accountable.”
In the twelve months since Greene King introduced the apprenticeship programme, their 15 apprentices have passed significantly more professional exams than in the previous three years. A total of 27 exam passes in a year compared to only 7 fails. This is a 79% pass rate, significantly above national averages.
Would you recommend other businesses to use an apprenticeship programme with First Intuition?
“Without a doubt” said Marc. “I believe it is a really good programme and the material provided by First Intuition is top class.”
David and Tommy both responded with a simple “yes” and Catherine added a resounding “definitely!”
Marc added “based on my own experience I would happily recommend First Intuition”
Gareth John, Chief Executive of First Intuition, said “I am extremely pleased that Greene King made the decision to introduce an apprenticeship programme into their finance team, and beyond delighted with how well it has worked for them so far. Speaking to apprentices, learners and senior managers over the last twelve months I have had so much lovely feedback about the impact it has had so quickly.”
Hatty added, “I have really enjoyed working with the Greene King apprentices and I look forward to seeing them continue to progress through their studies.”