The professional body Accounting Technicians Ireland will create 100 new apprenticeships this year in partnership with the north's Department of Education and Learning, colleges and employers.

The organisation and government department have developed a new higher apprenticeship in accountancy in Northern Ireland. It will be a funded full-time work programme that will allow school leavers to learn on the job.

A number of employers will take the candidates on as apprentices and six third-level institutions across the region, led by Southern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College, will provide training.

The apprentices will be employed for two years, working for four days and spending one day training at one of the six colleges. Participants will gain a diploma for accounting technicians, which is equivalent to a foundation degree programme.

Accounting Technicians Ireland president Louise Gorman said: "We're seeing an unprecedented demand for accounting technicians from companies throughout Ireland, with a 45 per cent increase in demand this year, so the prospects for these students are extremely positive."

‘Important role’

“Employers are increasingly aware of the important role that accounting technicians can play in managing key finance functions.”

The north's Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry said employers have already shown a lot of interest in the programme. He said: "Employers will be central to the success of our new apprenticeship system having a key role, through sector partnerships, in agreeing the curriculum and content of apprenticeships and ensuring they continue to be relevant to the needs of their sector."

Accounting Technicians Ireland is a 32-county body representing more than 10,000 members.