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Employers

Apprenticeships
deliver real returns

Develop a motivated, skilled and qualified finance function to drive your business forward.

In 2015 the UK Government set an ambitious target to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.

To put employers in the driving seat the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017 which saw the shift the control of apprenticeship funding to employers.

Levy funding available...

£8,000 Funding for Level 4
£21,000 Funding for Level 7

Paying for study via the apprenticeship levy makes sense for a lot of businesses.

Benefits for your organisation

Utilising the levy to its full potential can have a positive impact across your organisation, supporting your business strategies and operations.

  • A cost-effective way to develop a motivated, skilled and qualified finance function that can help drive your business forward.

  • Apprenticeships help you develop the specialist skills you need, pushing you to keep pace with the latest working practices in your sector.

  • Apprenticeships can deliver real returns to your bottom line, improve productivity and make your company more competitive.

  • A stronger talent pipeline which can be accessed earlier.

  • A foundation upon which employers can build a distinctive programme.

  • Apprenticeships deliver skills designed around your business needs.

Case Studies

  • All apprentices who have successfully completed the scheme to date have been directly appointed into permanent roles across TfL Finance.

    Kevin John
    Kevin John, Transport for London
    Read Kevin's story >

  • The CIMA programme provides a fantastic range of knowledge to complement the experience our apprentices gain in our programme.

    Neil Sansbury
    Neil Sansbury, Ramboll
    Read Neil's story >

  • By nurturing and growing talent from an early stage, you can have a highly skilled, knowledgeable and loyal workforce for the future.

    Louise Quinney
    Louise Quinney, BAE Systems
    Read Louise's story >

We offer apprenticeships at two levels

With support from CIMA, employers work with registered training providers to deliver apprenticeships.

Level 4

Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

Ideal for School leavers and people looking to upskill

Apprentices can study the Certificate in Business Accounting through the Professional Accounting / Tax Technician apprenticeship standard.

The CIMA Cert BA is our entry-level qualification for people with little or no accounting background and gives a foundation to a career in business and finance.

Studying the CIMA Cert BA will give apprentices business and finance skills for now and into the future, including accounting, management accounting and business principles.

Funding available: up to £8,000

Level 7

Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship

Ideal for Graduates and people with a basic accounting knowledge

At this level, apprentices can study the CIMA Professional Qualification through the Level 7 Professional Accountant Standard whilst also developing key skills and behaviours such as leadership, communication and problem solving.

The CIMA Professional Qualification is recognised worldwide as the most relevant global finance qualification for a career in business

As accountants in business, management accountants need to understand how businesses operate, how they are managed, how people work together and how strategy is formulated

Funding available: up to £21,000

Finding a training provider

To select your provider please refer to the ESFA’s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers or contact us for more information on providers offering CIMA apprenticeship training.

Delivering an apprenticeship

We recommend developing a programme to suit your organisation which will work towards your business goals.

It can take up to 36 months to complete an apprenticeship, depending on your approach and apprentice's ability, but it must be a minimum of 12 months.

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Webinar: Understanding apprenticeships 50 min

Who can be trained as an apprentice?

  • New Recruits

    Including graduates and school leavers

  • Existing staff

    Up skill your current workforce

  • Existing CIMA students

    With at least 12 months worth of study remaining

  • Anyone over the age of 16

     

Are apprenticeships right for your organisation?

There may be circumstances where putting an employee through an apprenticeship may not be appropriate so it's worth considering a few questions before selecting the apprenticeship option.

Things to consider:

  • What do you want to achieve?
  • Can you comply with the government funding rules?
  • What are your organisation's objectives around apprenticeships?
  • Does the apprenticeship work under your current learning model or do you need to re-evaluate it?
  • If you're a global organisation, does the learning model fit into the learning of people in other countries. If not, what impact does this have?

20% off the job training (compulsory)

This is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of an apprenticeship.

This can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties.

Could include:

  • The teaching of theory (for example: lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training).
  • Practical training: shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions.
  • Learning support and time spent writing assessments/assignments.

Does not include:

  • English and maths (up to level 2) which is funded separately.
  • Progress reviews or on-programme assessment needed for an apprenticeship framework or standard.
  • Training which takes place outside the apprentice’s paid working hours.
20%

of working hours must be spent on off-the-job training

Review your Learning & Development strategy

Review your Learning & Development strategy

Now is the ideal time, as we expect to see budgets become increasingly ring-fenced and centralised moving forwards.

Our apprenticeship team are on hand to discuss your options and help you utilise the levy to its full potential.

Get in touch

Discover CIMA Apprenticeships...