Yorkshire accounting firm invests in future of youngsters

A firm of chartered accountants and business advisors has continued its four-year talent investment tradition with the recruitment of not one, but two apprentices.

Yorkshire-based Shenward ordinarily makes one opportunity per year available but this year wanted to do more to help young people whose prospects had been damaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After impressing the family-run firm during the interview, Maninderjit Kaur and Bonny Augustine have joined as trainee accountants.

Both Maninderjit and Bonny will work in the VAT department and will handle Companies House secretarial work as well as performing general office duties.

Sherad Dewedi, managing partner said: “We have always recognised the importance of investing in our young people and helping the next generation build their future.

“For each of the last four years we have recruited a trainee and these young people have gone on to great success.

“This year we have been able to do more by taking on two trainee accountants to invest not only in their futures but the future of our business.

“The education and career prospects of young people generally have been adversely impacted by Coronavirus, lockdown measures and the current recession and we wanted to do that little bit more to help.”

The entire hiring process was carried out remotely during lockdown – something many firms with open positions have had to adapt to.

Mr Dewedi said both trainees demonstrated they were hard-working, enthusiastic, and conscientious, and would prove an asset to the business.

In support of the new Kickstarter scheme, Sherad added: “The Government has recognised the need to support young people with the £2 billion Kickstart scheme aimed at helping hundreds of thousands of young people, aged 16-24, into new, fully-subsidised jobs.

“With four years’ experience under my belt, I urge other businesses to take advantage of the scheme and consider the benefits of investing in young people.”