GET AHEAD WITH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Did you know?
If you are 14 years or older, you can blend professional career based education alongside your school studies.

YOU DESERVE EVERY STUDY CHOICE AVAILABLE – NOT JUST THOSE SELECTED FOR YOU
How do professional programmes compare to school and university qualifications:
You may be wondering if the above are comparable, what’s the difference or benefits?
THE BENEFITS ARE HUGE FOR EMPLOYABILITY


ARE THERE BENEFITS?
A young professional is very employable.
WHAT IS THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME?
WHEN CAN YOU ENROL?
TO GET AN EMPLOYMENT HEAD START, BECOME QUALIFICATION SAVY.
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK TO BECOME A YOUNG LEADER IN THE JOBS MARKET
UNDERSTANDING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN AAT
(Association of Accounting Technicians)
We are currently taking advance enrolments for the new syllabus Young Professionals AAT programmes starting in January 2022.


HOW WILL I STUDY AAT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
HOW WILL I STUDY AAT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONTINUED
YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS – DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND UP & SAY I WANT DIFFERENT
“Don’t assume career advice given at school or college/university open days are the full options available to you.
Career advisors do their best, but cannot know everything about all careers. They can only give you generic information usually relating to public sector education only. In adult education this means the information you are given is very limited.
Likewise, don’t rely solely on careers advice platforms that are government funded i.e. university based websites, .Gov websites or college based websites. Again the advice, whilst really worth reading, is limited to choices in government funded education and incentives.
Also try not to assume government education initiatives and incentives including learner loans are cheaper options, they are often full cost and far more expensive than other non funded private sector options.”
Christine Baxter CEO Gold Edge Training


HOW CAN YOU BE SURE YOU’VE MADE THE BEST CHOICE:
COMPLETE YOUR OWN RESEARCH, IT’S EASY AND IT’S A FOCUS ON YOU
- Start your research at the end and work backwards to the beginning.
- Go directly to employers who offer jobs in your chosen career path. Speak to several in different size companies so you get an overall picture because the advice may vary depending on the size of the company.
- Have your questions ready so you don’t waste their time and you’ll find most will be only too glad to give you the answers or transfer you to someone who can help. They will be impressed by you showing your initiative.
- The advice they give you will be unbiased and true. They are the direct experts for your chosen career path and the advice they give will be the best.
- Make sure you ask what qualification they prefer applicants to have for entry level positions. You do not need to mention that are a school leaver. You are going after the same entry positions as people older than you, the requirements are going to be the same.
- Ask what qualifications they prefer when looking to fill a trainee or apprenticeship post. They will usually list professional qualifications for trainee posts, but check for preferences.
- Ask, how many trainee posts they offer when entry level vacancies occur as opposed to apprenticeships? You will usually find the majority of entry level positions in small to medium sized companies (the majority of companies) will be offered as trainee posts and not apprenticeships. It is usually large companies who have to contribute to the apprenticeship levy who take most apprentices.
- Tell the employer you are researching in preparation to apply for a trainee position in your chosen career. Ask them what they look for in a candidate and what makes a trainee candidate stand out?
The above 8 questions will be the best advice you will ever get. All you have to do then is plan your studies based on the answers
DON’T BE ONE OF A NUMBER – EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR THE ONE WHO STANDS OUT FROM THE NUMBER
DON’T BE ONE OF A NUMBER – EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR THE ONE WHO STANDS OUT FROM THE NUMBER
For some professions like medicine, teaching and law etc. university is the correct and often only pathway after A levels. Be aware though, for a high proportion of other careers this is not the case. Taking accountancy as an example, is a degree in accountancy the best route?
From our 22 years experience in accountancy education and as an employer of accountants, degrees are not first choice for employers. They primarily prefer students qualified or part qualified (as little as one AAT exam) in one of the professional qualifications either: AAT CIMA ACCA ACA CIPFA etc.
The majority of employers now insist that their accountancy trainees study AAT in full and become AAT Accountants, before going on to study any other accountancy qualifications. This includes students who have previously studied an accountancy degree. They are often expected to study AAT level 3 and or 4.
WHY?
Professional qualification are practical application workplace skills. Degrees have an emphasis on theoretical analysis of why a process is done rather than how it is done. An employer wants the ‘how’ and not the ‘why’. An accountancy degree is good, but it is an indirect route to chartered accountancy.
Looking logically and cost effectively, degrees take 3 years to complete and often result in a student debt of £30k or more and for what? To not lead in the employment market. Instead, there are other preferred qualifications that can begin at the age of 14 years through Young Professionals. Equally as important, from the age of 18 years, it is probable that the Young Professional will be in a trainee accounting position where their study is being paid for either by their employer or an apprenticeship.


BE EMPLOYMENT READY – THE RIGHT QUALIFICATIONS WILL OPEN THE MOST DOORS
READY TO GET STARTED?
OTHER YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMES LAUNCHING IN JANUARY 2022
ADVANCED ENROLMENTS FOR THESE NEW PROGRAMMES WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER 2021
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: Do all young people have to study an apprenticeship?
Answer: No. Most entry level positions that are professions and not trades, will be trainee permanent posts rather than apprenticeships. A high proportion of employers prefer to offer trainee positions and not apprenticeships.
Question: Are apprenticeship better than trainee posts?
Answer: No. The outcome and benefits are exactly the same. There are advantages to gaining a trainee post rather than an apprenticeship. There are so many more available and a trainee post starts on a marginally higher hourly rate. The trainee job is more likely to be long term and permanent. By the age of 18 the minimum hourly rate for a trainee post is significantly higher than for an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are often just for 1 year or 2 years i.e. level 2 and or 3.
Question: Do trainee posts include study?
Answer: It isn’t guaranteed, but most likely it will be included depending on the career chosen. For instance, if you are looking to enter accountancy, it is unlikely that study wouldn’t be included. It is even more probable if you enter the role part qualified. Even if study isn’t initially included, take the job offer. Experience is equally as important. Prove yourself to be an invaluable employee and discuss study again later.
Question: Do I have to complete the full AAT qualification before leaving school?
Answer: No it is up to you how many or how far your professional studies are taken during school, sixth form and university years. A level 2 in AAT Bookkeeping demonstrates career intent and proof of determination. Remember, Young Professionals is about getting a head start through stress free learning. From an employers perspective, a work ready new employee with a level 2 qualification has already saved the employer a year of training time and costs. The employee is also immediately income generating all of which is significant to employers.
WE ARE SURE YOU HAVE MANY MORE QUESTIONS WHY NOT RING US ON 02394 35 0533 OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO COME IN AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR SPECIALISTS.
