Scottish apprentice numbers on the rise for KPMG

KPMG’s 2017 recruitment drive will boost the firm’s Scottish offices after the number of apprentice hires doubled from six in 2016, to 12 this year, the firm has said.

An additional 60 graduates are also expected to begin this autumn, bringing the total intake figure in Scotland to 72.

Across the UK, a record 181 apprentices have joined, bringing the total number of young people recruited into the firm’s apprenticeship schemes to 387, with 24 based in Scotland.

In Scotland, KPMG’s Glasgow office added six apprentices, while Edinburgh saw five new recruits. In the North East, the Aberdeen office brought in one new apprentice.

Catherine Burnet, senior partner at KPMG in Scotland, said: “I am immensely proud our apprenticeship programme is enabling these highly-talented young people to join our teams across Scotland.

“Our apprenticeship programme is an excellent training ground for a career with KPMG, offering a mix of study and work experience, and it’s this combination that enables students to get holistic, in-depth knowledge and experience from day one.

“The benefits of having young people from different backgrounds in the workplace are second to none. From a fresh pair of eyes on a problem, to a different perspective on a project, the learning experience is absolutely two-way. I’m thrilled to be welcoming our new apprentices as they embark upon their career with us. They are the future of the firm.”

Kathryn Roberts, Apprenticeship Programmes Lead at KPMG in the UK said: “Over the last three years our apprenticeship schemes have become an increasingly important part of our recruitment strategy. We believe that recruiting a combination of graduates and apprentices encourages a wide range of people with different skills and experiences to join us – all of which contributes to the diversity of thought we are able to bring to our clients.”

Two thirds of KPMG’s new apprentice roles (118) will be based in regional offices as the firm continues to invest heavily in its regional business.

150 of the UK’s new apprentices will join the six-year KPMG 360o apprenticeship programme, which sees them gain experience working across all areas of the firm, including audit, tax and advisory, before choosing to specialise in a particular area. A successful apprentice who completes the programme in full will progress to take their professional qualification and will be qualified to exactly the same levels as their graduate colleagues.

The remaining new recruits will join the KPMG 360o Business Services programme, which accredits apprentices to level three in business administration and allows students to experience working across the firm in administrative roles, facilities and creative design.