Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

Dubh73

Hi Cov

Are you currently in employment? I am unemployed and had remained that way as I thought it would be unfair to a new employer to start and then leave if I got the apprenticeship. I have started the job hunt and put it to the back of my mind.

Cov wrote: »

I am in the same boat as you guys. Still no word, my application was re-sent two weeks ago.

I don't know how accurate any of the following information is as I don't know the guy who told me (I just met him in a bar in Dublin), and I never asked him what firm he worked for, but I spoke with someone who said he works with an accounting firm and I mentioned the apprenticeship, and he had some very disheartening things to say about nepotism going on as part of it. At least where he works. He told me two years ago his firm hired a client's niece, and one of the board member's relatives - both had applied for the apprenticeship. He was not entirely sure they were hired on as apprentices, but he was 90 percent sure. He said both left after about a year because they were not prepared for the schoolwork. This guy was very drunk mind you, so he might have just been screwing with me.

I hope its not true, but that mixed with the 3000 applicants figure mentioned above (if that is also accurate) has pretty much blown my confidence in even getting called for an interview. It's a shame, I know I am absolutely perfect for it even though I am not usual college age.

Cov

Dubh73 wrote: »

Hi Cov

Are you currently in employment? I am unemployed and had remained that way as I thought it would be unfair to a new employer to start and then leave if I got the apprenticeship. I have started the job hunt and put it to the back of my mind.

Hey,

Yes I am currently unemployed and have applied for several positions in the public service which I am still waiting to hear on, and some other things also, but this apprenticeship was really my first choice as it is a very suitable path to a specific career goal I have in mind.

I think I just have to accept that its not going to happen

Vladi_

Cov wrote: »

Hey,

Yes I am currently unemployed and have applied for several positions in the public service which I am still waiting to hear on, and some other things also, but this apprenticeship was really my first choice as it is a very suitable path to a specific career goal I have in mind.

I think I just have to accept that its not going to happen

I guess we're all on the same boat. And what you said would explain a lot of things unfortunately. I really had high hopes after the phone interview.
Btw Public services can take months between two stages of interviews (tried that already, haha).

Vladi_

I just don't get why they keep advertising it. It keeps popping on my facebook and instagram making me mad every time.

Dubh73

Vladi_ wrote: »

I just don't get why they keep advertising it. It keeps popping on my facebook and instagram making me mad every time.

Hugs given and hugs required, this is soul destroying

Garzard

Thought I'd inform you all that I've finally received an offer from one of the firms I interviewed with - starting in September. Thrilled but do feel like the rest of you have been screwed around, no updates or interviews whatsoever with your applications???

Dubh73

I am so happy for you after all you seem to have gotten further than us, at least you had an interview with an employer. When do you start? The very best of luck, I am sure you will be great.

Vladi_

Garzard wrote: »

Thought I'd inform you all that I've finally received an offer from one of the firms I interviewed with - starting in September. Thrilled but do feel like the rest of you have been screwed around, no updates or interviews whatsoever with your applications???

Delighted for you! Enjoy it and I hope you'll love it.

No change with me.

Garzard

Thanks lads! Interviews are still being held in August because I got called for another two later in the month. I'd consider ringing up and asking what's happening with your applications at this stage. I'd have thought anyone who passed the phone interview would surely be called for at least one interview with a company?

BJUSTINA97

you should definitely try applying in your area!!!
I know they have selected firms you can work with but i have found my own place and it was no problem! it makes the job easier for them

Vladi_

BJUSTINA97 wrote: »

you should definitely try applying in your area!!!
I know they have selected firms you can work with but i have found my own place and it was no problem! it makes the job easier for them

What exactly do you mean? How did you do that?

Garzard

Vladi_ wrote: »

What exactly do you mean? How did you do that?

I presume s/he means they didn't wait for accounting companies to ring back and instead rang around a few companies themselves?

Vladi_

I would never think of that. :O Fair play to you!
I've emailed them for an update on my application but I'm not optimistic.

Dubh73

Not much of an update except an email saying I have been sent to employers Aug 1st. Still haven’t heard anything?

Vladi_

Dubh73 wrote: »

Not much of an update except an email saying I have been sent to employers Aug 1st. Still haven’t heard anything?

I got the same email today. No more hope though.

Twigg21

Hi anyone get a call about an interview yet? I’m beginning to lose all hope. Constantly checking my email.

Dubh73

Nope and to be honest I have given up completely on it.

Twigg21

Dubh73 wrote: »

Nope and to be honest I have given up completely on it.

They seem to be dragging it out until the very end there is an information day Organised for next week for anyone that still wants to apply.

Dubh73

Why are they still looking for applications I believe their are plenty waiting to hear back.

Vladi_

Dubh73 wrote: »

Why are they still looking for applications I believe their are plenty waiting to hear back.

I'm wondering the same thing. No way none of us is good enough to be interviewed.

Garzard

Vladi_ wrote: »

I'm wondering the same thing. No way none of us is good enough to be interviewed.

That former colleague of mine who I previously mentioned earlier in the thread and who failed the phone interview showed me an email today he got from Accounting Technicians Ireland suggesting that he apply for the fulltime degree (this isn't government subsidised in the way the apprenticeship is though and apparently doesn't have the option of paid training with an employer unless possibly with summer internships). Same qualification out of it, just structured differently.

Vladi_

Garzard wrote: »

That former colleague of mine who I previously mentioned earlier in the thread and who failed the phone interview showed me an email today he got from Accounting Technicians Ireland suggesting that he apply for the fulltime degree (this isn't government subsidised in the way the apprenticeship is though and apparently doesn't have the option of paid training with an employer unless possibly with summer internships). Same qualification out of it, just structured differently.

That's all great but I can't afford that.

Twigg21

Has anyone any news at all?? Even from ATI? This is the last week to be called for interviews isn’t it??

Vladi_

Twigg21 wrote: »

Has anyone any news at all?? Even from ATI? This is the last week to be called for interviews isn’t it??

Yeah... haven't heard anything.

jimny

Hi all,  
I've applied for this apprenticeship, can you tell me is there a way to view your application you originally submitted?  I'd like to double check everything to see what I actually wrote. 
Can I do this? Also only at phone interview stage. I know, I'm late to the game but can you give me a breakdown of what I need to know from my application or the kind of thing I can expect to be asked for the phone interview?  
Replies and comments asap much appreciated . 
Thanks all.

Twigg21

jimny wrote: »

Hi all,  
I've applied for this apprenticeship, can you tell me is there a way to view your application you originally submitted?  I'd like to double check everything to see what I actually wrote. 
Can I do this? Also only at phone interview stage. I know, I'm late to the game but can you give me a breakdown of what I need to know from my application or the kind of thing I can expect to be asked for the phone interview?  
Replies and comments asap much appreciated . 
Thanks all.

The phone interview they ask what you know about the apprenticeship, why you want to do it, how will you manage to study and how will you prepare for an interview with an employer. Basically the questions you would of answered in the application.

jimny

Twigg21 wrote: »

jimny wrote: »

Hi all,  
I've applied for this apprenticeship, can you tell me is there a way to view your application you originally submitted?  I'd like to double check everything to see what I actually wrote. 
Can I do this? Also only at phone interview stage. I know, I'm late to the game but can you give me a breakdown of what I need to know from my application or the kind of thing I can expect to be asked for the phone interview?  
Replies and comments asap much appreciated . 
Thanks all.

The phone interview they ask what you know about the apprenticeship, why you want to do it, how will you manage to study and how will you prepare for an interview with an employer. Basically the questions you would of answered in the application.

thanks for the quick reply 
There's no way to view my application then?  I should have saved a copy before submitting it. 
So it's just the questions they mention on the apprenticeship website. 
Have you heard from them lately,  you got a place on the programme?

Twigg21

jimny wrote: »

thanks for the quick reply 
There's no way to view my application then?  I should have saved a copy before submitting it. 
So it's just the questions they mention on the apprenticeship website. 
Have you heard from them lately,  you got a place on the programme?

Yes basically just those questions. no place......yet 😜 but I emailed them yesterday and they said there still few places left that they’re pushing employers to fill the spots and applications are been sent out to them again this Friday 🀞🽠As the programme Is due to commence on the 4th Sept.Such a long and slow process.

jimny

Hi all, Does anyone here who has had an interview with a company know how long after their application was sent out to employers they got word of an interview ? Know what I mean? The last batch of applications has gone out to employers today so how soon should we hear back about an interview ? Anyone know?

Dubh73

Lot of mixed messages going around. Some say this is the last week of interviews so if you haven’t got one by now it isn’t happening. I have been told that some employers haven’t taken up the offer yet so hard to figure out what’s happening. I haven’t heard from an employer.

Vladi_

I haven't heard back from them since 3 weeks ago. Definitely over for me. Heartbroken.

Dubh73

Ah Vladi I am so sorry. I didn’t hear anything either although when I contacted them they said employers in the Waterford had still not filled positions. I reckon those employers are not interested. I have taken maternity cover and am enrolling myself on the stepped payments by distance learning program 😞

Twigg21

Dubh73 wrote: »

Ah Vladi I am so sorry. I didn’t hear anything either although when I contacted them they said employers in the Waterford had still not filled positions. I reckon those employers are not interested. I have taken maternity cover and am enrolling myself on the stepped payments by distance learning program 😞

I don’t know what’s going on with them. I was told the same, that there was still positions and I’m in for the Monaghan area.

Dubh73

I honestly believe the number of employers interested in the program v the employers actually taking an apprentice is the issue. Obviously just because they expressed an interest doesn’t mean they have to take one on and considering it’s starting next week I think that ship has sailed 😞

jimny

I received an invite to interview today with a very large firm this week, who claim on their website to be in the top 20 accounting firms in Ireland.

The thing is it's over 50km away for me. I'm going to interview although not sure if I can get the time off work to do so just yet. I just wonder about the expense of the commute relative to the salary of the apprenticeship.

Anyone else hear anything today?

As I understand from ATI there are still plenty of large private and public firms and smes who ATI are working with who recieved the last batch of applications. I also understand that there's also the possibility of applications being resent out this week.

Anyone here tried contacting prospective employers directly? I was thinking that might be the way to go at this late stage.

Dubh73

Hi Jimmy

From what I believe payment is minimum wage. Some employers may add a small rate to this but in general apprenticeships salary is low. The program is 5 days-4 in house and one at the college so I am not sure how many hours the employer pays for -it may be 32? Definitely something to check out and you might let us know how it goes.

Twigg21

jimny wrote: »

I received an invite to interview today with a very large firm this week, who claim on their website to be in the top 20 accounting firms in Ireland.

The thing is it's over 50km away for me. I'm going to interview although not sure if I can get the time off work to do so just yet. I just wonder about the expense of the commute relative to the salary of the apprenticeship.


Anyone else hear anything today?

As I understand from ATI there are still plenty of large private and public firms and smes who ATI are working with who recieved the last batch of applications. I also understand that there's also the possibility of applications being resent out this week.

Anyone here tried contacting prospective employers directly? I was thinking that might be the way to go at this late stage.

Sure 50km is grand, it’s only about a 30 min drive. Good luck with your interview...let us know how it goes.

Twigg21

The apprenticeship has started today. Has anyone heard anything at all? haven’t so I presume they’ve decided that they will just let people guess if they have got the apprenticeship or not. Very bad form in my opinion!!

Vladi_

Well I don't have to guess if I've got the apprenticeship because I never even got an interview. I find them unprofessional and the whole thing left some dodgy feeling about them. It just doesn't make any sense.

Dubh73

Nope not a thing. I have enrolled to do it distance learning. Didn’t realize all the extra add on costs :-( credit card getting a serious bashing.

Twigg21

Vladi_ wrote: »

Well I don't have to guess if I've got the apprenticeship because I never even got an interview. I find them unprofessional and the whole thing left some dodgy feeling about them. It just doesn't make any sense.

You think they would have the decency to let us know thou. This isn’t the first time Ive been let down by them either. Very unprofessional in my opinion.

jimny

Update:
Couldn't get time off work to attend interview as I was/am relatively new to working there. Plus the over 50km commute each way was off putting as it would have cost me around €80+ a week and that's almost a quarter of the weekly wage. Plus with traffic and pathetic public transport, it's just not feasible.

Anyway, received an email from ATI on 3 September which read

'Many thanks for your recent application to become an Accounting Technician Apprentice. As the September term is about to commence I am reaching out to you to see whether another avenue of study may be suitable to your needs. We have our Academy here in Dublin, or as you are aware our nationwide network of partner colleges may also be suitable to you, and the third available option is our online programme.



I would be very happy to arrange a call with you to discuss the above options and the ways that any of these options would benefit you. All of my details are listed below for your convenience.



I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you once again for your interest in Accounting Technicians Ireland.'

Anyone else get this?

I told them the only way I'd be interested was the apprenticeship as I would have to be making a wage and couldn't afford to pay for training / courses etc

Also, today I received an offer to interview with a company for the apprenticeship, which I thought strange as it has already commenced. They are 60km exactly commute for me so again not feasible and I know I wouldn't get the time off from work.

Anyone else hear anything more? Any success stories?

scrap_man

jimny wrote: »

Update:
Couldn't get time off work to attend interview as I was/am relatively new to working there. Plus the over 50km commute each way was off putting as it would have cost me around €80+ a week and that's almost a quarter of the weekly wage. Plus with traffic and pathetic public transport, it's just not feasible.

Anyway, received an email from ATI on 3 September which read

'Many thanks for your recent application to become an Accounting Technician Apprentice. As the September term is about to commence I am reaching out to you to see whether another avenue of study may be suitable to your needs. We have our Academy here in Dublin, or as you are aware our nationwide network of partner colleges may also be suitable to you, and the third available option is our online programme.



I would be very happy to arrange a call with you to discuss the above options and the ways that any of these options would benefit you. All of my details are listed below for your convenience.



I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you once again for your interest in Accounting Technicians Ireland.'

Anyone else get this?

I told them the only way I'd be interested was the apprenticeship as I would have to be making a wage and couldn't afford to pay for training / courses etc

Also, today I received an offer to interview with a company for the apprenticeship, which I thought strange as it has already commenced. They are 60km exactly commute for me so again not feasible and I know I wouldn't get the time off from work.

Anyone else hear anything more? Any success stories?

Any update on this?

I just applied last night for the January 2019 apprenticeship. I know it's late in the day to apply but you never know.
Is there anybody else after applying for it?

David290990

Did anyone got Placement here yet 🙄