An apprenticeship at IT company Elite Business Services has really made a difference for budding Coventry accountant Iqbal.
16-year-old Uthman joined the ten strong team at the firm as an account assistant and the apprenticeship has helped him in his studies for his level two in Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).
The teenager was always interested in Maths at school and has enjoyed learning more about accountancy.
“I wanted the experience of working rather than studying for A-levels and then going to university and I am really enjoying it,” he said.
“Starting as an apprentice means I am learning about credit control and purchase ledgers as well as going to CWT Chamber Training in Coventry every Thursday to study for qualifications which are relevant to my day-to-day job. The course is interesting and once I pass my level two, I plan to study for level three and four until I am fully AAT qualified within the next two years.
“I am the youngest employee at Elite Business Services but I get on with everyone and I am enjoying the office banter.”
Joint managing director of Elite Business Services, Zaid Rehman, said that he believed that it was important to recruit apprentices to give young people a chance: “I would advise companies however large or small to consider recruiting apprentices because it is important to invest in the skills of employees for the future of the business.
“Apprenticeships enable us to recruit people with the right attitude and enthusiasm, who want to get ahead and those attributes are more important than ever in today’s crowded jobs market.
“It is great to foster local talent and CWT Chamber Training has always been a big help in providing us with suitable apprentices. Uthman has fitted in with the other members of staff straight away and his enthusiasm to learn more about accounting is there for all to see and in the long term I am confident the appointment will be rewarding for Uthman and the company.”