Member Article

Apprenticeships add up for accountancy firm

An established Bishop Auckland accountancy practice has had its ongoing commitment to the training of apprentices recognised, having been shortlisted as a regional finalist for a coveted industry award.

Mitchells Grievson entered into the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014 earlier this year having been nominated by its training provider, Team Valley-based Access Training. Following a thorough application process, the company has been shortlisted as a regional finalist and, if successful, will go on to compete against other regional winners in the national finals in November.

The company, which was established 40 years ago, employs 18 members of staff and has always had apprentices in its team. By being shortlisted, initially for the regional final, it has been able to demonstrate its commitment to taking on apprentices and investing in their training.

Andrew Houghton, d‹irector at Mitchells Grievson, said: “Since the business was first opened, it has always recruited apprentices. We know first-hand how invaluable these programmes are and we’re proud to continue to support the delivery of apprenticeship programmes across the North East.”

Mitchells Grievson currently has four apprentices in its team and takes on at least one new apprentice each year. Every member of the team, with the exception of two graduates, has completed an apprenticeship. Both of the firm’s directors also began their careers as apprentices.

Houghton continued: “Through Access Training, we continue to champion the value apprenticeships can bring. We continually see the benefits they bring to our business in terms of the morale of the entire team and the service received by our clients, not forgetting the very visible return on investment they bring.

“In the last three years, 40 per cent of our total turnover has been generated by apprentices, something which we believe shows the real value of our programme and represents one of the many reasons we have been shortlisted for this award.”

Mitchells Grievson has become an active ambassador for apprenticeships in the region and recently starred in a promotional video for Access Training on the benefits apprentices can bring from an employer’s perspective. The video highlights the positive experiences the company has enjoyed since it took on its very first apprentice decades ago and the value that apprentices continue to add to this day.

“We have many examples of people who joined as apprentices and have continued their studies beyond the programme to become qualified chartered accountants, so it’s not just the business that benefits,” added Andrew.

Employees Jane Lamb and Lauren Westgarth (pictured)‹ both opted to complete their AAT qualifications instead of going to University and have continued to progress up the career ladder within Mitchells Grievson.

Malcolm Armstrong, m‹anaging d‹irector at Access Training, said: “Mitchells Grievson is a shining example of a North East business that is fully supportive of apprenticeship programmes, not only in the sense of taking on new recruits but helping to promote the programme and the benefits it can bring. We’re delighted it has had its commitment recognised by being shortlisted for this award and we wish Andrew and the team the very best of success in the next stages.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .