Jessica Cridland is employed by Age UK in Milton Keynes as an Accounting Apprentice.

Jessica, after successfully passing her AAT Level 2 is continuing her off the job learning, studying for her Level 3 AAT Diploma and Level 4 Diploma with the Accounting Academy Partnership (AAP) in Milton Keynes in partnership with Bedford College.

Age UK has a vision of a world in which older people flourish. They aim to provide later life for everyone through their information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research.

Age UK Milton Keynes has a strong ethos of supporting and helping to develop its workforce to enable individuals to reach their full potential.   Employing an apprentice fits very well with this policy.   Jessica joined us last November and we were introduced to each other by staff from the Accountancy Academy.    She settled into our routines very quickly and during the short time she has worked with us has become part of our team.  Jessica is providing us with valuable support and I hope we are providing her with an all-round work experience, so important for apprentices. We believe this is an excellent partnership all round.

Jessica has a hearing impairment and has worked to overcome this barrier with help and support from her trainer; Jane Mitchell and Bedford College Student Support team. Jessica says: “Since joining Age UK as a member of staff and following a highly regarded AAT qualification, I feel that the level of delivery and support to me personally has been outstanding.  I have been encouraged to excel in both the academy and my work place.  I am hearing impaired, my hearing loss is recognised by the academy and is not a barrier to my learning and career development.  Working at Age UK is a vital link to reinforce my academic knowledge.  This apprenticeship was definitely the right choice for me.”

Jessica’s father, John Cridland CBE, Director-General of the CBI says, ‘’I am delighted that Jessica is an apprentice with Age UK and following her off the job training with the Accounting Academy Partnership.  I am passionate about the importance of apprenticeships to the future of the British economy, and what they can do for young people.  I am very impressed by this accounting apprenticeship and the quality of the experience that it offers. It is a good role model for what the apprenticeship brand stands for.’’

AAP operates throughout the year with start dates for apprentices in March, July, September and November.   We have Apprenticeship Academies in the following locations:

North Hertfordshire – Letchworth

South Hertfordshire – St Albans

Buckinghamshire – Milton Keynes

West Midlands – Birmingham

North West – Liverpool

For more information visit our website  www.accountingapprenticeships.co.uk