National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week 5 - 11 February 2024 brings together organisations and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, organisations and the wider economy.

This year's theme is ‘Skills for Life’. The week will reflect on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help organisations to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

Here at CIPFA we're marking the week by showcasing the achievements of our apprentices and employers – as well as highlighting our professional accountancy and counter fraud apprenticeships.

Browse the links below to find out more, keep an eye on CIPFA's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn activity across the week and join the conversation using #NAW2024 and #SkillsForLife.

In this video Parveen Sahota, Lauren Gough and Ryan Auer, three current and former CIPFA apprentices, share their thoughts on why they chose a career in public finance, their experiences studying with CIPFA and advice for those beginning their journey in the public sector.

Our apprentice stories

Maariya Hussain - A solid foundation

Maariya Hussain began her career as a Trainee Counter Fraud Officer with the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) in October 2022, enrolling for the CIPFA Level 4 Counter Fraud Apprenticeship as part of the agency’s training programme.

Read more about Maariya's apprenticeship story.


Mariela Borisova - a wealth of knowledge

Mariela embarked on the two-year apprenticeship programme in April 2022, and welcomed its blended learning approach, which is tailored to promote the development of professional standards, knowledge, skills and behaviours essential in the field of counter fraud investigation.

Read more about Mariela's apprenticeship story.


Suman Chaudhary - You learn so much

We spoke to CIPFA apprentice Suman Chaudhary from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council about her Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey. She and her line manager, Michaela Lambart explain how both have learnt a great deal from the experience.

Read more about Suman's apprenticeship journey.


Sarah Robinson - A fulfilling career

We talk to Sarah Robinson, business accountant for Planned Care at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and her manager, Sarah Clark about how her CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship has set her up for a fulfilling career in the public sector.

Read more about Sarah's apprenticeship journey.


Stewart Findlay - A fresh look

In this interview, CIPFA apprentice Stewart Findlay from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shares his Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey. He and his line manager, Ivan Bradshaw explain how both have learnt a great deal from the experience.

Read more about Stewart's apprenticeship journey.


Rachel Pizzey - A rewarding role

We spoke with Rachel Pizzey, Trainee Accountant at Gateshead Council, and her line manager finance business partner Carole Smith about the highlights, challenges and benefits of the CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship Rachel is undertaking. 

Read more about Rachel's apprenticeship journey.


Charlie Lowe - More than a qualification

In this interview, CIPFA apprentice Charlie Lowe from Sefton Council discusses his CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Qualification journey. He and his line manager, Andrew Bridson explain the benefits of the CIPFA apprenticeship. 

Read more about Charlie's apprenticeship journey.


Tom Smith - Expanding existing skills

We spoke to CIPFA apprentice Tom Smith from LNER about his Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey so far. He and his line manager, Paul Larder, both explain how they gained a great deal from the experience so far.

Read more about Tom's apprenticeship journey.


Contact us

CIPFA is an approved and established apprenticeship training provider and delivers apprenticeships in accountancy and counter fraud to over 200 employers. If you're considering recruiting an apprentice or upskilling an existing member of your team, get in touch: apprenticeships@cipfa.org