The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) is to join forces with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and others to provide a higher apprenticeship in tax.
The Government has given the go-ahead to a bid from a consortium of organisations including PwC (the lead organisation), the ATT, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, the Management Consultancies Association, the Financial Skills Partnership and training provider BPP, for a new Professional Services Higher Apprenticeships Programme. The Programme will initially cover tax, audit and management consulting.
Apprentices on the tax route will follow a newly-developed level 4 Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) qualification in tax. The qualification will be designed to raise apprentices to the ATT professional standard.
ATT Deputy President Stuart McKinnon has welcomed today’s government announcement:
“This is great news. The ATT is delighted to be part of the higher apprenticeship programme, helping to improve our national skills base and providing a new route into the tax profession for capable young people.
“Traditionally apprenticeships have been seen by most people as primarily a route into trades like building and plumbing. This is valuable of course. However they can also be a path into white collar professions such as tax and accountancy. Traditional university degrees have a lot going for them but we want to show they are not the only gateway to the professions. We also believe this initiative has the potential to increase the diversity of the profession.
“We look forward to working with BPP, PwC and other potential employers of tax apprentices over the next few months to develop a qualification and framework which are robust, based on the needs of employers and offer great opportunities for those interested in a career in tax.”