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.
