Focusing on professional services, the Assured Skills Academy is open to people with a Level 5 qualification and relevant experience, or a 2:2 degree in any discipline.
Successful applicants receive eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Met and Ulster University. Participants who complete the training have the opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications.
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 to join the largest firm of professional advisers in Northern Ireland.
“Developing the local skills base is a key element of our economic recovery. Assured Skills Academies have a very strong track record of success in upskilling people and helping them secure employment.”
The Minister added: “Successful applicants to the Academy will receive £155 per week training allowance and travel expenses while they train. They will also be guaranteed an interview with PwC in Belfast on completion of the training.”
Deborah Stevenson, Operate Director at PwC, said: “These Academies continue to be an important part of our growth plans and we're always impressed with the talent they introduce us to. In order to ensure the continued growth in the region, it's really important that people are able to find opportunities like this to upskill and to ultimately ensure businesses can invest further.
“Supporting the Academies is a great example of what we mean when we talk about living our purpose in the region: they provide access for people to gain exceptional training in the classroom as well as practical application and insight into working with PwC. All while complementing our own culture of continued learning and development.”
The Assured Skills Academy, focusing on professional services, will cover a range of areas including Financial Crime, Compliance Testing, Customer Management, PMO Services and Business Operations.
Training is likely to be a blend of onsite and online learning delivered by Belfast Met and Ulster University. Successful applicants will require appropriate IT access in order to link to the online tuition.
Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, said: “Belfast Met is delighted to continue to deliver this successful series of Assured Skills Academies. This programme will provide vital jobs in growth sectors, and participants will be well positioned to progress into good jobs and life-changing careers as a result.
“We look forward to continuing to deliver this DfE programme in partnership with PwC and to welcoming our new cohort of learners.”
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 11 October 2021. The selection process will include a video interview. Interviews will be held 19-21 October 2021. Training will commence for successful applicants on 8 November.
Applicants must hold a Level 5 qualification (HND or Foundation degree) and some experience in an office/banking/professional environment or a minimum 2:2 degree in any discipline.
More information and details on how to apply can be found on nidirect: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/assured-skills-training-programme
