Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025, accounting trainees from Cumbria-based Armstrong Watson share their experiences of working towards their qualifications and the opportunities provided to them along the way.
Alex Rose and Fern Varah each had different ideas of the path they would take when leaving school, and both are now shaping their careers with Armstrong Watson.
The accountancy business and financial advisory firm, which has been named for three years in a row among the UK’s top 100 apprenticeship employers, has taken on trainees for as long as it has been in existence.
Alex, 26, joined the firm in 2023 after struggling to find the right balance whilst studying at Edinburgh University.
He has completed his AAT level 3 and is now working towards his level 4 qualification.
He said: “I realised I needed to find a way of studying that had greater structure and more support.
“After some research, I found Armstrong Watson and it felt like the perfect opportunity. I was lucky enough to make it through the application process and I’ve been blown away by the overall experience of the apprenticeship in my 17 months with the firm so far.”
Alex has found that the combination of a dedicated line manager and being surrounded by experienced seniors has helped him with his studying and day-to-day work. He has also been exposed to different departments, attended careers fairs on behalf of the firm, and now mentors new students.
“Since starting with Armstrong Watson, I feel more confident within myself and that I’m valued as a member of the team,” Alex added. “This has helped me to feel more comfortable that my career is heading in the right direction and optimistic that the future will be bright.
“I’ve also made some great friends and have managed to organise trips away with them outside of work. I think this shows that it’s possible to enjoy social time with like-minded people on the apprenticeship, it’s not just work, work, work.”
Fern, 18, completed her A-levels at Trinity School, but unlike Alex, she always planned to embark upon an apprenticeship rather than go to university.
“Doing an apprenticeship means you’ll receive the qualifications you would if you went to university, however, you also gain valuable on-the-job experience,” said Fern, who is in the first year of her AAT qualification.
“Since starting my apprenticeship in September 2024, everyone has made me feel welcome and included. I receive amazing support and training from colleagues which makes me feel confident when completing tasks. There are lots of social events like the
Christmas Party and Summer Social, which are an excellent opportunity to get to know colleagues outside of a work environment.”
Fern came across the opportunity to work for Armstrong Watson at Carlisle Skills Fair.
She said: “They were very friendly and provided me with lots of information about their AAT programme. From this conversation, I knew Armstrong Watson would be an amazing place to work and complete my AAT apprenticeship.”
