PwC Assured Skills Academy Creates New Training Places

Twenty new high quality training places have been announced as part of a new Assured Skills Academy with PwC, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has revealed.

Focussing on Future Business Skills, the Assured Skills Academy will see successful applicants receive eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Met and Ulster University.

Participants who complete the training will gain industry-recognised qualifications and are guaranteed a job interview for a role at PwC in Belfast.

Highlighting the opportunity, the Minister said: "I am pleased to announce another Assured Skills Academy with PwC, Belfast Met and UU. This is an excellent opportunity for people with degrees seeking to start or change career in the professional services sector.

"Developing the local skills base is a key element of the economic recovery. Assured Skills Academies have a track record of success in upskilling people and helping them secure employment, and we will bring forward more Academies for applications in the coming months."

The Minister added: "Successful applicants to the Academy will receive £155 per week training allowance and will be strongly positioned to compete for a job upon completion. No experience is required – I urge anyone who is eligible and interested to apply for this exciting opportunity."

Deborah Stevenson, Operate Director at PwC, said: "As an employer, we have already benefited from the fantastic talent who participate in these Academies, which are an incredibly important part of PwC’s future growth. We’re determined to support people developing world-class careers here in Northern Ireland, and the Assured Skills Academies are one of many options. Whether you’re starting your career, or interested in re-skilling, these Academies offer you an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will support careers in PwC and across the Northern Ireland economy."

The Future Business Skills Academy will focus on a range of areas including Financial Crime, Compliance Testing, Customer Management, PMO Services and Business Operations.

Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, said: "I am delighted that Belfast Met is continuing to deliver this successful series of Academies. The Future Business Skills Academies have resulted in programme participants gaining new life-changing skills and progressing into good jobs and careers as a result.

"It is commendable that PwC is offering highly skilled roles during these challenging times, and we look forward to continuing to deliver this DfE programme in partnership with them."

Michael Pogue, Senior Lecturer in Financial Services at Ulster University Business School, said: "Ulster University is pleased to be involved in the delivery of another Assured Skills Academy in conjunction with PwC and Belfast Met. The current mode of virtual delivery makes use of the latest remote learning technology to ensure participants in the Academy gain the knowledge and skills they require for employment in the expanding financial services sector."

Applications for the PwC Future Business Skills Assured Skills Academy are open until noon on 01 August. Video interviews will be held 10-12 August and training will commence for successful applicants on 31 August.

No experience is required. Applicants must hold a 2:2 degree or better in any discipline.