CASE STUDIES
Case studies are very important for ALPS to share the good work that our members do. Please keep us up to date with interesting case studies and we will share the success of learners and employers.
WBTC – Marquise ThompsonBack to listing
Marquise Thompson achieved high grades in his A level examinations, but wanted to get some first hand experience and real world learning to improve his career prospects. He felt an Apprenticeship would offer a better solution for him than college and got in touch with WBTC. He was quickly snapped up by 3M and in a short time has managed to achieved his qualifications. He is now looking towards gaining his CIMA or ACCA qualifications. We caught up with Marquise to find out how he’s doing.
What is your current position?
Financial Accounting Analyst
Who is your employer?
3M
How long have you been with your employer?
I have now been with 3M for 16 months.
Describe your job. What do you do on a day to day basis?
I tend to crunch numbers, run reports for seniors, sometimes people will ask me to pull data out the system and create reports for them, I will analyse numbers on a month end basis, spot variances and look for a reason to describe this variance. I also have quite a few reconciliations I would complete on a month end basis.
Were you with this employer before you began your Apprenticeship?
No this is my first ever Job, I have never worked before.
What Apprenticeship programme are you on and what is the qualification you are going towards or have already achieved?
I was on my level 3 Certificate in accounting, now I have moved onto level 4, I studied 3 A levels: Business, Law & Accounting. I then went on to start my qualifications in accounting I achieved Level 1 & 2 Accounting and then decided to move up to the next level as an Apprentice, I achieved level 3 and I am now on level 4, From here I would like to go on to study either ACCA or CIMA
How long were you on the programme?
I have been on the programme for 16 months and have enjoyed every day of it.
Have you been promoted at all as a result of your Apprenticeship training?
I was awarded a pay rise when I completed my Level 3.
What got you started on the road to an Apprenticeship?
I wanted to get some first-hand experience and learn at the same time, I felt that I will be better off with finishing an Apprenticeship than I would completing college, because when I finish the Apprenticeship I leave with experience whereas at college you just leave with a qualification.
How has an Apprenticeship helped you?
My Apprenticeship has helped me a lot, It has taught me key office skills, it has also broadened my personal skills, before I started working here I was not as good on my communication skills as I could be, but working here has boosted my confidence a lot.
Where is your future, or how do you see your career taking shape?
I want to finish my level 4 AAT and then move on to complete my ACCA or CIMA, I have not decided which one yet.
How did WBTC help you?
WBTC are very supportive people, they have helped my a lot through my apprenticeship, They was there when I was not 100% myself and had problems at home, they advised me on what to do. They are all great people. They helped me set relevant goals, and achieve those goals. I would like to thank everyone that helped me progress through my level 3.
Would you recommend Apprenticeships to others?
I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who wants to study, as completing an Apprenticeship not only gives you the qualification you want but it gives you experience and most places in this day and age want to recruit people with relevant experience. I think Apprenticeships are a great alternative to college.
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