Kalirai & Co
Kalirai & Co provides accounting and taxation services to SMEs.
Why did you decide to take on an apprentice?
An apprentice is an affordable means of welcoming new employees to our business and we know that young people with the right attitude and a willingness to learn can be a real benefit to our business.
We’re a small employer but we’re keen to give opportunities to young people who are interested in a career in accounting or business administration and can provide them with the support they need to enter the workplace after school or college.
What duties does the apprentice carry out?
Our accounting apprentices start at Level 2 and develop the basic accounting technical skills required for the job.
If they are keen to develop further, we encourage them to progress to higher levels of study to enable them to work at a professional level.
Our administration apprentices have been vital in providing business support services to the rest of the team.
How has the company benefitted from having an apprentice?
We believe in ongoing education and training.
Apprentices who are motivated to succeed have been given an opportunity to progress within our business and have become permanent employees.
What support did you receive from the college when setting up the apprenticeship and what support is provided to you and your apprentice during their training?
The college recruitment team advertised our vacancies and helped screen suitable candidates for us – this was a huge help as we didn’t have to worry about finding suitable candidates ourselves.
Our account manager is on hand to offer advice about incentives and other training opportunities for our staff, and our assessor works with the apprentices, offering support as required according to their individual needs.
What would you say to other employers who are considering taking on an apprentice?
Know what skills and competencies you’re looking to develop and have a plan to help your apprentices achieve their potential.
Be flexible and be willing to give time to support them.
