Business

Deloitte 'Brightstart' scheme kicks off Apprenticeship Week

Employment and Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry with Jackie Henry, Deloitte’s senior partner in Northern Ireland, and BrightStart apprentice Zara Buckley
Employment and Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry with Jackie Henry, Deloitte’s senior partner in Northern Ireland, and BrightStart apprentice Zara Buckley Employment and Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry with Jackie Henry, Deloitte’s senior partner in Northern Ireland, and BrightStart apprentice Zara Buckley

THE five-year 'BrightStart' programme which offers school leavers the opportunity to work with one of the big four professional services firms in the UK while completing their studies has been heralded as a "great success" in Northern Ireland.

BrightStart offers skilled third-level studies the opportunity to work with the likes of Deloitte while doing their degrees in business technology.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry attended a celebration event hosted by Deloitte to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, which begins today.

Jackie Henry, senior partner at Deloitte NI, said: “National Apprenticeships Week is an opportunity for us to reflect on the success of our BrightStart programme and to look ahead to an exciting future of continued growth here in Northern Ireland.

“We had great success in the programme’s first year and that has given us confidence to move ahead with the second cohort. We are delighted to grow the number of BrightStarts here at Deloitte with more than 40 new apprentices expected to join us in September.

“Deloitte’s commitment to hiring new talent has been a key component of our strong track record in devising innovative solutions to the business issues facing our clients.”

Dr Farry said: “This week offers an opportunity to focus on the benefits apprenticeships offer to young people by providing employment, skills and training. Developing our current and future workforce will be essential if we are to continue to grow the local economy and achieve our economic aspirations.”

During their employment, a BrightStart apprentice will have access to the internal professional learning and development opportunities, as well as direct on the job training. The programme will provide a set career pathway, appropriate to the various roles targeted at specific service areas.

Dr Farry added “Building on the success of this programme, and the other Higher Level Apprenticeship pilots, I believe they offer local industry an important alternative pathway to a recruit passionate and talented workforce.

"Apprentices will be given the opportunity to develop high level skills, achieve qualifications up to degree level and enhance their career prospects while helping employers develop their business and raise the economic prosperity and competitiveness of Northern Ireland.”

Further details of the programme can be found at http://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/careers/articles/brightstart-school-leavers.html