PwC sees surge in interest in school leaver scheme

Nationally, the firm received 2,352 applications for 100 school and college leaver vacancies in offices across the UK this year, compared to 417 applications in 2008.

PwC in the North received 565 applications, a 38 per cent rise on the number of applications last year, for 16 school and college leaver vacancies in its assurance, tax and consulting practices, which start in autumn, including the industry’s first higher apprenticeships in tax and consulting.

Applications to the firm’s school leaver programmes represent eight per cent of the overall number of student and graduate entry applications, and the school leaver intake represents six per cent of PwC’s overall student and graduate entry offering this year.

Ian Green, North East chairman for PwC, said there is a generation of students weighing up their career and training options differently, whether because of university fees, economic forecasts or graduate unemployment.

“We’ve played a leading role in the development of the government’s Higher Apprenticeships Scheme, as we are committed to attracting exceptional people. The initial response to the scheme has been even better than expected.

“Talented students who are clear about their career path won’t compromise on training and development, and this offers them a realistic alternative to get into business straight after A-levels,” he added. PwC has recruited more than 500 school and college leavers over the past decade nationally.

“We’re not seeing a wholesale shift away from graduate entry though,” said Mr Green. “The interest and demand is a mix of genuine increased interest in new, quality training options with major employers, and also reflective of some students hedging their bets with university places. Overall, students are looking at their options in their teens, rather than waiting until their third year at university, and for an employer that’s good news.”

Roger Marsh, senior partner in PwC’s office in Leeds, said: “We are clear that anyone with the right talent and transferable skills has the opportunity to succeed in our business.

“We are working with careers advisers, schools and colleges, training organisations, parents and students to help young people make informed decisions about their future career and the route they take to get there.

“Pessimistic discussions around the student job market can paralyse people’s ambitions and their drive to develop themselves. Being despondent is going to get you nowhere. Commitment to personal development is one of the most important things we look for as an employer and not all transferable skills need to be gained through work.”

He said sport or volunteering, for example, are great training grounds for leadership and relationship management skills.