The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is running its 'Get In. Go Far' campaign across several business sectors, encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships as a way of earning while learning on the job and an alternative to university.

At the same time, the government’s Trailblazer scheme for developing apprenticeship standards has released new standards in phase two, covering the training required for apprentices signing up as professional accounting technicians or accountant apprenticeships with firms or in industry. 

The aim of the apprenticeship programmes is to enable young people and new entrants to fulfil their potential and achieve qualifications equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education, a post-graduate diploma or masters degree, while gaining valuable work experience.

Chris Jones, chief executive of the City & Guilds Group, which was closely involved in developing the new standards, said: ‘The additional apprenticeship standards announced today will go a long way towards expanding the opportunities open to Britain’s youth and tackling our skills gaps.'

However, Jones admitted that there are still reticence on the part of employers who are not willing to invest in apprenticeship training. 

'I’m still concerned about whether employers, regardless of size, will have the time – or the money – to take on apprentices. We must make sure that these reforms lead to greater take up of apprenticeships by both employers and young people.’

The scheme needs traction across the profession to broaden the diversity of entrants to accounting.

Sarah Hathaway, head of ACCA UK said: ‘It is important that the government, employers and professions work together to raise the standing of vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, especially in light of the growing cost of going to university.

‘As a professional accountancy body, ACCA UK is behind this campaign 100% - we have signed up as Apprenticeship Trailblazers, which is a group of employers designing new apprenticeship standards for relevant sector occupations. With business backing this, we hope it will be a success.

‘It is vital for the future of the UK economy that students who cannot afford to go to university are not seen by employers as lacking ability. If we are to achieve a truly socially mobile population we must improve access to the professions for everyone that has the required ability.

'The announcement by [business secretary] Vince Cable is certainly a step in the right direction but there is still much more that can and should be done.’

Michael Walby, director of professional qualification training at KPMG, one of the firms offering the apprenticeships, said: ‘The Trailblazer standards for professional accounting technician and professional accountant define the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required by a fully competent apprentice, and provide a framework for apprentices that lead to valuable, transferable qualifications, relevant for employers.’

Walby said that the development of standards for apprentices marked another step forward in underpinning the long-term diversity targets of the accounting sector, allowing firms to recruit from the widest possible talent pool.

Development of the new standards for accounting apprenticeships was led by accountancy firms of all sizes, public sector organisations and professional bodies. 

Gaenor Bagley, PwC head of people, said: ‘At PwC we have collaborated with employers from across the sector to drive the development of new apprenticeship standards. Working together employers can ensure this trailblazer benefits employers of all sizes and allows our sector to develop and retain the talent we need to grow our businesses.

'We structured our apprenticeship programme around our business needs which means we are providing our apprentices with the training and work experience they need to progress within the industry, whilst also developing the skills that support economic growth.’