Skills show is winning formula for trainees

Two trainee accountants are making great progress with a Shrewsbury accountancy firm after securing jobs following a visit to the Telford Skills Show.

Molly Morgan and Freddie Whiles now work full time for Dyke Yaxley Charted Accountants after first registering their interest in roles at the 2023 event.

The pair discovered what the business has to offer when they visited the Dyke Yaxley stand at the Telford International Centre event and were invited for interviews where they both successfully landed new trainee roles.

And a year on from the 2023 skills show, they helped out at this year’s event on the firm’s exhibition stand where they advised and signed up potential new recruits.

Molly joined the business officially as an audit trainee in July 2023, at the same time as the annual intake of trainees, while Freddie started in September working as a payroll trainee but he is soon moving on to become a trainee accountant within the business.

Freddie was previously working in a supermarket while Molly had started a university degree in economy and politics which she decided not to continue with.

Freddie deals with the firm’s payroll activity while Molly’s day-to-day duties include preparing client details and accounts and learning a wide range of accountancy skills.

Molly and Freddie are also working towards Level 3/4 AAT Accountancy qualifications alongside their day-to-day jobs - the recognised accountancy industry qualifications.

Freddie, of Telford, said: “I’m really enjoying working at Dyke Yaxley. I’ve enjoyed my time in payroll and I’m looking forward to learning more about accountancy generally.

“I was working at Lidl previously doing stocktaking but I’ve always wanted to become an accountant and when I visited the skills show last year and found out about the trainees Dyke Yaxley were looking to recruit I had no hesitation in signing up.

“I was really pleased to be offered a role and I’ve not looked back. It’s great being able to learn about the business and work towards a qualification at the same time."

Freddie is also full of praise for the Telford Skills Show which he says is a great place to meet potential new employers.

“I’m so glad I went to the skills show last year and it’s amazing to think how far I’ve come since. Helping out at this year’s event has also enabled me to see a different side of things at the show and play a part in helping the business bring in a new wave of recruits.”

Dyke Yaxley offers a wide range of accountancy and business advisory services and works with both small start-up businesses and much larger organisations. The business will be sponsoring the Business, Legal and Finance Award at the inaugural Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards later this year.

The Telford Skills Show 2024 was attended by up to 3,000 people of all ages, including 1500 from local schools, and over 50 businesses and training providers were there to exhibit.

Councillor Eileen Callear, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for education, employment and visitor economy, said: “This is a real-life example of how the Telford Skills Show can lead to full time employment opportunities with local businesses.

“The annual show is a great opportunity for people of all ages to explore new career paths and register their interest in roles on the day, but it’s also a chance for employers to tap into the pool of talent which exists locally.”

For help and support with your career and job vacancies please visit Telford & Wrekin Council’s Job Box service: www.telfordjobbox.co.uk

Pictured: Councillor Eileen Callear (centre) with trainee accountants Molly Morgan and Freddie Whiles at Dyke Yaxley’s Telford office