Students from across Liverpool and the Wirral have taken part in a pioneering scheme to make the accountancy profession more accessible.
The big players in accountancy and law have traditionally concentrated recruitment efforts on students from top universities. But Grant Thornton, which employs 450 people in Manchester and Liverpool, is determined to widen its reach.
After a successful trial in Manchester in 2015, Grant Thornton rolled out its social inclusivity initiative to its Liverpool office and 15 sixth formers spent a week at the firm’s base in the Royal Liver Building, learning about the profession and getting top career tips.
The programme is part of a series of measures launched by the leading business advisory group to attract bright and resourceful people.
The commitment to the students doesn’t end after the week, each have a mentor from the firm to help them with their future thinking and career plans.
The students will also be invited to attend a skills/employability session with the Grant Thornton recruitment team, where they will be given tips on writing their CV, filling-in job and university application forms, as well as coaching on interview technique and assessment day advice
Emma Stoddart, a newly-promoted partner at Grant Thornton in Liverpool said: “We were delighted to welcome the students to our office. They impressed us all with their attitude and capability.
“Hopefully they will have been inspired to enter our profession and will also have acquired new skills as they embark on the start of their career journeys.”
Carl Williams, office managing partner who did not go to university and worked his way up through the firm, added: “We’re looking for people who have relatively high levels of attainment from communities that have a level of disadvantage above the regional average.”
“It’s about breaking down the barriers to the top jobs. We believe that widening access, boosting social mobility and being more representative of the wider society helps the firm better serve clients and grow the economy as a whole.”