PwC UK has launched a consultation with employers in the accountancy, tax and consulting sectors to develop the first Higher Apprenticeship for Professional Services (HAPS).
The consultation aims to create distinct routes into the taxation, accountancy and management consultancy professions, developed in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW), Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and the Management Consultancies Association.
The plan is for the HAPS to be closely aligned with the requirements of the existing ATT and ICAEW professional qualifications at that level.
Employers can support the apprenticeships by contributing to its development and or providing training places.
PwC head of people Gaenor Bagley explained as it is a hugely competitive recruitment market for business employers despite the recession the firm felt “there is a huge prize to be gained for the industry from going beyond the tried and tested routes”.
“We can attract new people, new views, and new experiences,” Bagley said.
ICAEW executive director of learning and professional development Mark Protherough stressed that “today around one in five of those studying to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant chooses a non-University route and with the launch of the HAPS, this number is likely to increase”.
The deadline to respond to the consultation is May with the full framework to be released in autumn and the first students beginning in September this year.