Poor A level results in Yr 12 - do Accountancy Apprenticeship?

[Westcott313]

My ds got mostly A and A* grades at Gcse. He was looking forward to A levels but now hates it (partly because his time at this particular college hasn't been a positive experience). His first year grades were low and his college have asked him to start afresh with new subjects. He could go to another sixth form and do well without starting again but he isn't sure if he wants to. Right now he has done some work experience in the finance part of a hospital research department. They have offered him an apprenticeship in accountancy with a starting salary of £12k. Before this ds was adamanant he didn't want to go to Uni but we've always encouraged him to keep his options open. He now wants to drop A levels and do this apprenticeship. My issue is he is closing the doors too soon? What if he changes his mind and wants to do something else or even do a degree? My thoughts are to finish A levels at another sixth form and then seek out an apprenticeship. I know it's down to him really and I wouldn't encourage him to finish his A levels if he didn't have the potential. But at the end of the day the decision his. Can anyone offer us some advice?

My inclination would be the same as yours. Accountancy isn't 100% future proof (in 15 years much of it may be automated) so he may be better off with A-levels and a degree. That said I do think you need to listen to what he's saying. Do you think he's just reacting to a negative experience or is he genuinely averse to the idea of a degree? What degree would he be likely to do were he to do one? (Accountancy could obviously follow from a degree but he'd also have lots of other options). I think forcing him back into 6th form against his will may degrade his confidence further if it doesn't go well so it's tricky.

what qualification does the accountancy apprenticeship lead to (CIMA/ACCA or something else?)

I would look into what he gets from the apprenticeship in terms of qualifications. If he gets a-level equivalents and then degree level qualifications I wouldn’t hesitate to let him do the accountancy, as long as he is motivated and committed. He could always go on to do a degree later. I am a lecturer and there is nothing worse than a student who doesn’t want to be there. They don’t attend, they aren’t engaged and they don’t get the skills a degree should confer. If he tries commits to accountancy, as long as it ultimately gives him full qualifications and professional chartership will give him good skills, practical and academic.

My issue is he is closing the doors too soon? What if he changes his mind and wants to do something else or even do a degree?

Accountancy doesn't close doors. Once he has the basics of accountancy under his belt he can move on to management and from there he can move on to anything. Apparently one fifth of FTSE100 CEO are accountants.
As pp have said, find out exactly what's on offer. Tie them down to specifics - principally: which qualification, what happens if he doesn't pass exams first time, what support for exam leave, does employer pay costs, what work experience (rotating round disciplines) do they guarantee.

I would imagine that he will start on level 2 AAT as he hadn't completed his A levels yet from which he will progress through level 3 and 4 before moving onto ACCA or CIMA.. I would check how long the apprenticeship is initially offered for -12 months or 2-3 years to complete the full AAT qualification. I would also find out if he will be studying with a local FE college or st one of the Big 3 professional tuition companies (BOP, Kaplan or First Intuition). The study methods are very different at the professional training companies compared to just trotting along for day release at a local 'RE college.

Was he studying A level maths? The maths content of ACCA and CIMA can be quite tricky and even some of the level 4 AAT papers have a fair amount of maths within them. AAT is a very credible accountancy qualification. Many large employers are also now offering degree level apprenticeships rather than expecting a degree for their top trainees.

If this was my DC I would encourage them to complete their A levels, simply because future employers expect to see them on a CV. However, if your DS insists on the apprenticeship, I would encourage him to go down this route and get the AAT qualification. I teach the later professional qualifications which follow on from AAT, including those on NHS schemes. I have taught at least 3 students who have won global prizes at ACCA or CIMA who did not enter the profession by the traditional degree route.

Apologies - typing in my slerp!

BOP = BPP
'RE College = FE college

Sorry thought I'd updated saying I'll get details of the apprenticeship and report back. Unfortunately the person in charge is away so I have not further information. Ds is currently trying to get a place in another sixth form as I type. Trying to keep all options open.

I am an accountant (ACA) and I work for a FTSE100 company where we do a variety of accountancy, apprenticeship and graduate programmes. I would encourage him to get A levels first, and then consider apprenticeships. Whilst I agree that AAT is a good basis, it would give him broader options if he took A levels, and then looked for an ACCA/CIMA/ACA training scheme as a school leaver if he doesn't want to go to university. Effectively the AAT would be a substitution for A levels, but with a narrower prospects at the end (including university options, if he changes his mind). A levels give him the option to choose between accountancy, or university, or a different type of apprenticeship entirely. He sounds like a bright boy, it sounds like his college experience has been bad - it's possible that he may not like accountancy either, so I would think it sensible to keep his options as wide as possible at this age, bearing in mind that you can turn to accountancy at any stage.

Update: ds wants to finish his A levels and then consider an apprenticeship. The problem is all the excellent sixth forms are asking him to start again in year 12, only two local colleges will take him into year 13. Both colleges leave something to be desired (although teachers are meant to be good, kids are smoking outside etc). Not sure what to do, school starts next week!

What grades did he get and in what subjects?

My son messed up year 12, getting poor grades. He left his school and started again at a new 6th form college. He's done really really well and his grades this year have been loads better. He's much happier.

Kids smoking outside a 6th form college is not a sign of a bad college...it's people who are legally old enough legally doing something legal. Iyswim!

My son is about to do an accountancy apprenticeship post a-levels. My advice is to apply early as places do get filled up.

Does he actually want to do Accountancy? I drifted into it after graduation as I was offered an excellent graduate trainee position. It took me a few years to realise just how much I hated it, and I was never happier in my life than when I managed to escape. Its a very portable qualification though, I've always been able to get rewarding work easily, even with moving countries a few times.