A Dublin-based dad has hailed an apprenticeship programme as a brilliant way for student parents to develop careers in the finance sector.
Mature learner Matt Leskovec (33), who lives with his family in Drimnagh, says the flexibility offered by the two-year Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Apprenticeship will allow him to gain a qualification he would otherwise not have the time to study for.
Now into his second year as an Accounting Technicians Ireland apprentice, Matt was on a year and a half career break as a stay-at-home dad when he signed up to the programme.
He had previously worked as a social media content reviewer but opted for a change of career on his return to work in 2023.
Now, he is apprenticed to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Dublin City Centre.
The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship allows students work, earn, and learn.
Graduates qualify as accounting technicians and can gain exam exemptions if they wish to move on to become fully qualified accountants.
“It is never too late to find the right career fit,” says Matt.
He works four days a week with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as part of the funded work-based learning programme, which sees locally placed apprentices earn at least the national living wage and above.
Matt attends college one day a week at Rathmines College of Further Education.
He had no previous direct experience of accounting when he began the Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship.
“With a young family, I needed to be earning while studying, with the prospect of career growth,” said Matt.
“So being able to study and gain a qualification while also being paid is invaluable to me.
“And, as any student with children will tell you, having flexible study times is an amazing perk.
“Being able to relate my studies to work is helpful in terms of my understanding.
“The programme is well thought out and covers my day-to-day work.
“But the biggest advantages for me is being able to earn while learning, and flexible study.
“I would not be able to gain a qualification otherwise.
“And being able to relate your learning to work puts you ahead of someone who merely attended college.”
The Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Apprenticeship.is to create over 200 jobs this year.
The apprenticeship is a funded, two-year, work-based learning education and training programme in which apprentices work, learn and earn at least €26,325 a-year while attending lectures one day a week at a local college.
It provides an alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to a full-time college programme – or those who started a college course and found it did not suit them.
It is also an option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting.
The apprenticeship enables employers recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner as training fees are covered by state agency, SOLAS.
Employers can avail of a grant of €4,000 per-year for each apprentice they employ.
Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector, have all embraced the programme.
It is open to school leavers, Leaving Certificate students, career-changers and mature learners alike.
Applications have opened for the Accounting Technicians Ireland apprenticeship, in partnership with further education colleges in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Waterford and Wicklow.
According to Gillian Doherty, Chief Operations Officer at ATI, the Apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner.
“Apprentices bring the employer new talent and skills which can support the business now and in the future,” she said.
“Graduates gain a professional QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Accounting and have acquired practical professional skills needed to fill a range of accounting and finance roles across all sectors.
“Accounting Technicians Ireland is pleased our apprenticeship contributes towards job creation and business growth.
“Since the programme’s foundation in 2014, the Apprenticeship has been the source of almost 1,200 jobs.
“We now partner with over 170 employers across 30 sectors.”
For more details, see accountingtechniciansireland.ie.
