National Apprenticeship Week 10-16 February 2025 brings together organisations and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, organisations and the wider economy.
This year's theme is ‘Skills for Life’. The week will reflect on how apprenticeships help individuals develop rewarding careers, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.
Here at CIPFA we're marking the week by showcasing the achievements of our apprentices and employers – as well as highlighting our professional accountancy and counter fraud apprenticeships.
Browse the links below to find out more, keep an eye on CIPFA's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn activity across the week and join the conversation using #NAW2025 and #SkillsForLife.
In this video Parveen Sahota, Lauren Gough and Ryan Auer, three current and former CIPFA apprentices, share their thoughts on why they chose a career in public finance, their experiences studying with CIPFA and advice for those beginning their journey in the public sector.
Our apprentice stories
Armanda Naziri - Preparing for the future
Armanda Naziri began her career as an apprentice fraud investigator for the London Borough of Newham in September 2022 and started the CIPFA Level 4 Counter Fraud Apprenticeship the following month. Armanda and her line manager, Nick Sharp talk about how the apprenticeship programme sets them both up for success.
Read more about Armanda's apprenticeship story.
Tristan Ainsworth - Develop at speed
We spoke to Tristan Ainsworth about his experience on the CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship programme. Tristan shares the skills he's learnt so far and the benefit of being able to apply theory into practice while undertaking the apprenticeship programme.
Read more about Tristan's apprenticeship story.
Daniella Owen - A pathway to a meaningful career
Daniella Owen is an Accountant in Children's Services at Coventry City Council and is also currently undertaking the CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship programme. We talk to Daniella about how the apprenticeship programme has helped her establish a meaningful career in the public sector.
Read more about Daniella's apprenticeship story.
Maariya Hussain - A solid foundation
Maariya Hussain began her career as a Trainee Counter Fraud Officer with the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) in October 2022, enrolling for the CIPFA Level 4 Counter Fraud Apprenticeship as part of the agency’s training programme.
Read more about Maariya's apprenticeship story.
Mariela embarked on the two-year apprenticeship programme in April 2022, and welcomed its blended learning approach, which is tailored to promote the development of professional standards, knowledge, skills and behaviours essential in the field of counter fraud investigation.
Read more about Mariela's apprenticeship story.
We spoke to CIPFA apprentice Suman Chaudhary from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council about her Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey. She and her line manager, Michaela Lambart explain how both have learnt a great deal from the experience.
Read more about Suman's apprenticeship journey.
We talk to Sarah Robinson, business accountant for Planned Care at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and her manager, Sarah Clark about how her CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship has set her up for a fulfilling career in the public sector.
Read more about Sarah's apprenticeship journey.
In this interview, CIPFA apprentice Stewart Findlay from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shares his Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey. He and his line manager, Ivan Bradshaw explain how both have learnt a great deal from the experience.
Read more about Stewart's apprenticeship journey.
We spoke with Rachel Pizzey, Trainee Accountant at Gateshead Council, and her line manager finance business partner Carole Smith about the highlights, challenges and benefits of the CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship Rachel is undertaking.
Read more about Rachel's apprenticeship journey.
In this interview, CIPFA apprentice Charlie Lowe from Sefton Council discusses his CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Qualification journey. He and his line manager, Andrew Bridson explain the benefits of the CIPFA apprenticeship.
Read more about Charlie's apprenticeship journey.
We spoke to CIPFA apprentice Tom Smith from LNER about his Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship journey so far. He and his line manager, Paul Larder, both explain how they gained a great deal from the experience so far.
Read more about Tom's apprenticeship journey.
Contact us
CIPFA is an approved and established apprenticeship training provider and delivers apprenticeships in accountancy and counter fraud to over 200 employers. If you're considering recruiting an apprentice or upskilling an existing member of your team, get in touch: apprenticeships@cipfa.org.