Students turn back on university and head out to work

Sept. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Having scored seven A levels between them James Keith and Harry Fort could have chosen to head off to university, taken places at college or headed off for a gap year before continuing their education.

But instead the pair have opted to start work and commence a training programme at Peterborough based accountants, Rawlinsons.

With the scramble for university places hitting the headlines since the A level results were announced last week, and the increased fees set to be introduced next year, it seems more teenagers are looking at other options post sixth form.

James and Keith both feel they’ve found an ideal solution – working at Rawlinsons’ Lincoln Road offices while studying for their professional qualifications.

Former Kings School pupil James Keith passed A levels in Business, Economics, Biology and Classics, scoring a very credible A, two Bs and a C.

“I have had work experience in a finance environment over two summers and really enjoy working with numbers,” said James. “I was very interested in accountancy but wanted to choose a different route than university.”

Harry, who scored a B, C and D in Maths, Economics and Physics at Ken Stimpson School, found out about the work based learning route through a family friend.

“I’ve always wanted to be an accountant and like the idea of learning on the job,” said Harry.

Both expect to qualify within five to six years, exactly the same amount of time as it would take to do a degree followed by the Association of Chartered Accountants exams. And during that time rather than potentially running up debts at university they will be earning a wage.

“Our training programme, which has been running for many years, is ideal for those who have ambitions to be accountants but who don’t necessarily wish to go to university,” said partner Ken Craig. “There has been much talk about the options available to 18 year olds and this is just one of them. Harry and James will be working towards exactly the same final qualification as they would if they went to university first. It’s a viable and realistic alternative to the traditional university courses.

“We are delighted they have chosen to start their career at Rawlinsons and look forward to the contribution they will make to the business now, and in the future.”

Pic cap: L-R James Keith and Harry Fort have chosen to join Rawlinsons trainee programme rather than head to university