Nali Shows Why Work Placements Are A Win – Win.
An aspiring accountant from Wigan is an inspiring example of how work experience placements can benefit both students and companies.
Nali (17) always had a head for figures. So it came as no surprise when he decided to study T Level Accountancy at Wigan and Leigh College.
This 2 year course is aimed at preparing you for a career as an Assistant Accountant, or to progress on to Higher Education. The course covers the fundamentals of financial accounting including bookkeeping, analytics, professionalism and ethics.
Gaining a work placement
As part of the course you are also required to gain practical, real world work experience and that’s where Groundwork came in. When the College got in touch to ask if we could offer a work placement, we were delighted to offer this opportunity to a suitable candidate. And after a successful interview, Nali joined our Finance team.
For 11 months, Nali worked for 1 day each week and was based at our Head Office in Wigan. During this time he supported a variety of teams and projects, gaining over 350 hours of practical accountancy experience in areas including sales and purchase ledger and project accounting. He also became proficient in using the latest accountancy software, including Sage.
Being immersed in a real-world professional setting, has helped me advance my skills and given me practical insights that can’t be taught in the classroom.
An incredible experience
Reflecting on his time with us, Nali said; “It has been an incredible experience to see first-hand how an organisation’s finance department operates effectively. Groundwork prides itself on fostering a supportive environment where people can thrive. From the moment I started I’ve felt welcome and included and I’ve had fantastic support not just from the Finance team, but the whole organisation. Being immersed in a real-world professional setting, has helped me advanced my skills and given me practical insights that can’t be taught in the classroom. It has boosted my confidence to a whole new level.”
Mutual benefit
The placement hasn’t just benefitted Nali – he has been a huge asset to the Finance team. Groundwork’s Assistant Finance Manager Simon Callan said; “We’ve really enjoyed Nali being part of our team and have been impressed with his ability to learn new tasks quickly and take responsibility for their completion. His commitment and dedication have been excellent throughout the whole of his time with us and we wish him every success for the future.”
I really appreciate the opportunity that Groundwork gave me. The knowledge I’ve gained and the guidance I’ve received will make a massive difference to my studies and to my career.