PwC expands Higher Apprenticeship scheme

Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) will recruit 120 Higher Apprentices this year as the accountancy giant expands the vocational programme by 10 per cent after strong demand.

The vacancies will include roles in the company’s business recovery services team, as well as those that specialise in tax and management consulting.

PwC was the first to offer Higher Apprenticeships in professional services, and has seen applications for its school leaver programmes soar 43 per cent.

More than 250 applications were made for the first 60 vacancies in PwC’s tax division in February alone. The firm expects to receive 1500 applications for its remaining roles, which are due to start before the end of this year.

Gaenor Bagley, head of people at PwC, said: “We’re really encouraged by the level of interest students are showing in Higher Apprenticeships at PwC and the fantastic quality and variety in the applicants.

“For us, it’s widened the access gate to the profession, without lowering the bar in terms of the talent we’re attracting.”

Overall, PwC plans to recruit 1200 graduate and school leavers in 2013, and around 400 interns.

Natalie Thornhill