PwC Assured Skills Academy offers 20 high quality training places in Belfast

The Department for the Economy and PwC have launched a new PwC Future Business Assured Skills Academy offering 20 high quality training places.

(L to R) Claire McNally, PwC’s Head of Capability and Development, Siobhan Lyons, Head of Economic Development at BMC, Stephen McNamee, Course Director, Graduate Diploma in Accounting at Ulster University and Graeme Wilkinson, DfE Head of Skills

Applications for a place on the Academy from people with a degree and an ambition to future proof their skill set are now open. Successful participants will receive eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training delivered by Belfast Met and Ulster University designed to provide the future skills needed to start a career with PwC in Belfast.

Highlighting the quality of the opportunity being offered, Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills at the Department for the Economy, said: “Assured Skills Academies are a successful and proven model of upskilling the local workforce, ensuring that local businesses have the people they need to grow. This is an excellent opportunity to compete for jobs in the growing professional services sector and I would encourage people with the necessary qualifications to apply.”

He added: “This Academy is a result of the announcement in November last year of more than 600 Assured Skills training places for potential roles at PwC and is further evidence of the strength of the local professional services sector.”

Claire McNally, PwC’s Head of Capability and Development in its Operate division said: "This high-quality Future Business Skills Academy offers 20 career changers or recent graduates the chance to upskill. The Academy is a unique opportunity to gain confidence and learn life-long skills, with a guaranteed job interview upon completion.

"As Operate  grows, we have exciting opportunities across our diverse business areas so applicants with any degree background are encouraged to apply."

Academy participants will learn and develop skills and knowledge across project management, business analysis, business acumen and CIMA Fundamentals in Financial Accounting.

Siobhan Lyons, Head of Economic Development at Belfast Met said: “As a leading provider of pre-employment industry-led training Belfast Metropolitan College seeks to equip participants with the real-world skills they need to succeed in the world of business and help support the wider economy. We look forward to working with the participants for the PwC Future Business Skills Academy.”

Michael Pogue, Senior Lecturer in Financial Services Business Development at Ulster University Business School, commented: “Ulster University Business School is committed to delivering industry relevant skills including accelerated training and development for graduates that will assist their progression in the expanding professional services sector and, also support the pipeline requirements for the wider Northern Ireland economy. We have been active in the Assured Skills sector for several years and are delighted to be again collaborating with Belfast Met on this exciting series of Business Academies for the future expansion of PwC Operate.”

As well as industry-relevant training, Academy participants will receive a training allowance of £150 per week, travel expenses and may also be eligible for childcare allowance.

Applications are now open – more information and details of how to apply are available at the nidirect Future Business Skills Academy page.

Notes to editors: 

Photo caption: Pictured are (L to R) Claire McNally, PwC’s Head of Capability and Development in its Operate division, Siobhan Lyons, Head of Economic Development at BMC, Stephen McNamee, Course Director, Graduate Diploma in Accounting at Ulster University and Graeme Wilkinson, DfE’s Head of Skills.

Assured Skills is a pre-employment training programme run by the Department for the Economy. More information is available on the Assured Skills page on the Department’s website

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For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604 or email pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

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