Higher and degree apprenticeships are making accountancy careers more accessible and increasing social inclusion and diversity in the sector, research by Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) and the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) has found.
The findings show how Level 6 and 7 apprenticeships are reducing barriers to entry in a profession where diversity has historically been limited.
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According to a statement, Manchester Met is the only university in England with a “substantial cohort” on the Accounting Finance Manager degree apprenticeship standard, with 40 students enrolled.
Its data shows that 37.5% of its accountancy degree apprentices are aged 16 to 18, while 97.5% are aged 24 or under.
A quarter of the university’s accountancy degree apprentices identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), while 20% are registered disabled.
The university said these figures compare favourably with the wider accountancy profession.
At Manchester Met, women make up 30% of accounting degree apprentices.
Manchester Met apprenticeships director James Walker said: “Accountancy has traditionally been a profession where your route in, and how far you go, depends heavily on background. Degree apprenticeships are changing that.
“Our cohort shows that when you remove financial barriers and create a structured earn-while-you-learn pathway, young people from all backgrounds will take it.
“The fact that more than a third of our apprentices came to us at 16 to 18 is significant: these are students who might never have considered a professional finance career as accessible to them.”
UVAC chief executive Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee said: “This latest research rubber-stamps how degree apprenticeships are key to providing a clear route for people from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher-skilled and better-paid careers in sectors such as finance and accounting.
“It’s a way for many people to access degree-level study whilst overcoming many of the financial challenges associated with other higher education and training pathways.
“Age is also just a number and we continue to encourage the government to prioritise the skills and career ambitions of employees at every stage of their working life.”
Separate research by UVAC among its university members found that 55% of respondents do not believe the government’s ongoing Growth and Skills Levy reforms will promote social inclusion.
They also do not expect the reforms to increase the number of new apprentices from disadvantaged backgrounds.
