How to convince your parents

You’ve decided an apprenticeship is the path for you, but your parents think university is the only or best option. We can understand that they might be worried about whether this is the right choice, especially if they don’t know much about apprenticeships.

Here are some facts that you can share with your parents to convince them an apprenticeship is right for you.

You get practical experience, you’ll be completing different activities and tasks in the workplace, while gaining theoretical knowledge in your studies, with the added benefit of learning from others as you work alongside professionals within finance/accounting teams.
Apprenticeships are full-time jobs and employers invest in them and their apprentices to sculpt their future workforce and leaders.
You get paid, so not only will you be earning while you learn, but the costs of the apprenticeship will be covered by your employer and the government, which means you won’t be in debt in the same way you would if you go to university.

You gain a qualification, as well as gaining the practical skills needed for the job. The time spent studying can lead to achieving a professional qualification that can help when looking to progress after your apprenticeship.
Employers love apprenticeships because they believe an apprentice is more committed and motivated and this can have a positive effect on the company’s workforce.
Apprentices often progress quicker on to Chartered/Certified status after completing their AAT studies and apprenticeship.
All the big names are offering apprenticeships, from the BBC to KPMG and TUI to Network Rail.

“An apprenticeship to me consisted of working and studying. Now my understanding is that not only does it provide you with work experience, which is incredibly valuable, it also provides you with the qualifications to back that up. So, you get the best of both worlds.”

Thomas, with AAT since 2018