The PQ Accountancy Awards returned to a live setting as Kaplan and Deloitte won for Apprentice Training Programme of the Year.
The Awards were held at the Proud Embankment cabaret club in London and a great time was had by all, with comedians and a mariachi band ensuring that the evening was entertaining long into the night.
Kaplan were nominated for seven awards:
- Newly Qualified student of the year - Haider Ali
- Apprentice of the Year - Callum Keating
- Apprentice Training Programme (WINNER) - Deloitte and Kaplan
- Best use of social media - Kaplan, using TikTok to support additional learning needs students
- Innovation in Accountancy - Kaplan Learn Better Podcast
- Study Resource of the Year - ACA OnDemand
- Accountancy Personality - Neil Da Costa
We were delighted that our innovative school leaver programme took the honours. This programme included a five week experiential learning simulation for Deloitte’s new Level 7 BrightStart apprentices. It was rolled out in autumn 2021.
The submission detailed that within the programme:
Apprentices learnt skills vital for their role and the L7 Accountancy and Tax apprenticeship. They acquired decision making skills by discussing pricing, analysing data and collaborating to overcome unexpected situations, in this real time simulation. Kaplan taught presentation skills so when teams presented to senior leaders in the finale/awards ceremony, they were ready to impress.
The programme gave apprentices the freedom to learn through their experiences within a safe environment.
It was a true collaboration between Kaplan and Deloitte, resulting in a learning experience which set the apprentices up for success.
We were so grateful to receive recognition, particularly as the feedback was so strong from the learners themselves:
“The decision making aspect was most beneficial. We made decisions based on changing circumstances, reflective of the real world.”
“I’ve felt my confidence increase, especially when talking to new people at work.”
“I’m more resilient to potential challenges.”
“Working with a team I’d never met before over Zoom helped me the most.”
So congratulations to our team, our partner Deloitte, and all the apprentices who were the first to take part in such a programme.
Special thanks must also go out to Kaplan employees Kur Lewis, Nici Caesar, Jenny Pelling, Linda Chiou and Lynsey Stephens. It was their great work that resulted in this award win.