CIPFA is piloting an apprenticeship scheme for young people who want to develop careers in public finance, in partnership with a consortium of employers in the West Midlands including Grant Thornton (GT).

Apprentices are recruited and employed by CIPFA on a fixed-term contract of one year, during which time they combine work and study and develop their skills and knowledge on the job.

Training is for a recognised Level 4 accountancy qualification and is taught at the CIPFA Education and Training Centre (CETC) in Birmingham on day release. Applicants to the scheme require either an AAT Level 3 qualification or equivalent (A Levels, NVQs).

The first ten apprentices to join the scheme have been announced and will be working with local councils, an NHS Foundation Trust and four placements with GT's Birmingham office.

Steve Freer, CIPFA chief executive, said: 'This apprenticeship scheme is another fantastic example of the partnerships CIPFA is developing to widen access to the accountancy profession, enable young people to build rewarding careers, and grow the next generation of public financial managers. The involvement of major local employers in this scheme means that the apprentices will have the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience alongside their studies in public finance.'