National Apprenticeship Week offers us the chance to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices and raise awareness of the career opportunities available to those looking to start their professional journey.  

This National Apprenticeship Week, we are proud to celebrate the fantastic achievement of our colleague Grace, who has successfully completed her apprenticeship and is now AAT Level 4 qualified!

Throughout her apprenticeship, Grace has shown real dedication, commitment, and a passion for developing her skills. Her hard work has not only supported her professional growth but has also made a positive impact across the team.

Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to build knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and develop a rewarding career, and Grace is a great example of what can be achieved. Congratulations Grace, on this brilliant milestone – we are excited to see what you achieve next!

We asked Grace some questions about her time as an apprentice:

What made you decide to start an apprenticeship?

During my time at college, I enjoyed accounting and I knew that this was something I wanted to have a career in. Initially I did apply for universities, but I knew the study side was not something I would enjoy. I knew deep down I only wanted to go for the “uni life.” My family told me to look at apprenticeships in the accounting industry to see if there were any available. Looking into the job roles and what would be involved, the more I became convinced that an apprenticeship in accounting was the perfect fit for me. A hands-on job and work environment outweighed the studying university route.

What has been your proudest achievement during your apprenticeship?

Achieving my AAT level 3 & 4 qualification is definitely my proudest achievements during my apprenticeship. When I first started at S Smith & Co in 2021, I was at the beginning of my career and I am incredibly proud of how far I have come since then. Completing these qualifications has allowed me to develop my technical knowledge, practical skills, and understanding of the industry. Alongside progressing my career, the experience has also helped me grow personally, particularly in building my confidence, taking on new challenges, and becoming more independent in my role. Looking back at where I started and seeing how much I have achieved makes the whole journey feel extremely rewarding.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

During my studies with McArthur Dean, I did face some challenges. There were some topics I struggled with and some exams I had to retake. However, I overcame these by staying organised, studying harder and making sure I asked for help from my teacher so I fully understood the topic. The support from the teacher and my colleagues was really valuable, as they helped me keep motivated and determined to pass the exams.

What advice would you offer someone who is considering about doing an apprenticeship?

I would definitely encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it. It is a great opportunity to gain practical, real-life experience while also working towards accounting qualifications. It allows you to learn on the job, build confidence, and develop valuable skills that you can carry throughout your career. My advice would be to stay organised, be prepared to work hard, and not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help when you need it. There will be challenges along the way, but staying focused will make the experience extremely rewarding in the long run. An apprenticeship is honestly the best decision I ever made and I will always be thankful for S Smith & Co for employing me and putting me through my Apprenticeship.