Hazlewoods continues to show its strength and growth with a record number of apprentice recruits.
A staggering 50 school leavers and graduates started AAT, ACA and ACA/CTA apprenticeships this September. They join a well-established apprenticeship programme at Hazlewoods who currently support 138 apprentices in their studies and work-based training.
With a workforce of over 500 based across four offices in Cheltenham, Staverton and Bristol, Hazlewoods are proud to employ over one quarter of their workforce as apprentices.
Investing in people
People are at the heart of Hazlewoods. Investing in training and development and accelerating careers has long been a focus.
Our apprenticeship programme provides young people access to debt-free, first-class training, as well as on-the-job learning working alongside exceptional businesses both in Gloucestershire and across the UK. We have strong careers links with local schools and have employed apprentices on leaving sixth form from Sir Thomas Rich’s, Bournside, Pates Grammar, Balcarras, Ribston Hall High School, Churchdown School and the Crypt School to name a few. We are also welcoming new recruits from as far afield as Pembrokeshire, Lancashire and Essex. And for those students considering a career in accountancy, we also offer several 12-month university work placements, for students to gain valuable commercial experience and insight into the working world of Hazlewoods as a firm.
For those starting out with their careers, Hazlewoods are proud of their competitive starting salaries. Apprentice salaries start at £20,000 for school leavers joining the Level 4 AAT Apprenticeship; and £25,000 for graduate entry-level.
Recruiting talent
HR Director, Sue Golding, commented: “We feel that both Gloucestershire and Hazlewoods have much to offer to potential new recruits, from the local area and increasingly those from further afield who may be looking to relocate.”
Marketing Director, Alison Townsend, adds: “By increasing the number of apprenticeships available we want to support the local economy and help ensure Gloucestershire is seen as an attractive and appealing place to work and live. We are committed to creating more opportunities to encourage local school leavers and graduates to remain in the county – whilst flying the Gloucestershire flag to attract new recruits to move into the area.”
This is an exciting time to join Hazlewoods – our revenues continue to grow year on year, and we have recently expanded into new offices on the Promenade in Cheltenham and Bristol city centre. As our client base grows accordingly – the breadth of commercial experience on offer to our apprentices is second to none. We have over 2,000 local clients in Gloucestershire, and many more national clients based all over the UK who our apprentices work alongside as they develop their careers, underpinned by an excellent training and support programme with friendly business mentors.”
Training and support are at the core of developing people at Hazlewoods, as Sue Golding elaborates: ”Our apprentices are our future. As our business continues to thrive so do the training opportunities alongside an impressive range of UK clients. I am so proud that we can offer such a significant proportion of apprenticeship and work placement opportunities to those students wanting to pursue a career in accountancy and business advisory. Furthermore, for those apprentices with ambitions to develop their career to their fullest potential - we offer a clear and supportive ‘Pathway to Partner’.”
We also offer a range of training, qualified and senior management roles alongside operational career opportunities in IT, marketing, HR and business administration. View these here and watch the video below to get a taste of working life at Hazlewoods and living in Gloucestershire.
Applications for September 2024 school leaver and graduate apprentice training programmes open in October 2023. Apprentices of any age are welcomed and a full list of entry requirements can be found here. Alternatively, email earlycareers@hazlewoods.co.uk for more information.