- PwC Academy opens applications for 6th edition of its YES Programme, blending ACCA, VAT, and AI skills training
- Three-and-a-half-year course offers fast-track, job-ready alternative to traditional university routes in accounting
- With 80 percent employment success, YES equips top school-leavers for careers at Big Four firms & direct MSc entry options
PwC Academy, the skills and talent development arm of PwC Middle East, has launched recruitment for the sixth iteration of its award-winning Young Employable Scholar (YES) Programme. With 80 percent of graduates going on to secure employment with top organisations, this life-changing higher education route pairs the high-profile ACCA (the Association of Chartered Accountants) qualification with the UAE VAT Compliance Diploma and AI skills training. This three-and-a-half-year course empowers high-achieving students with the basic abilities to master a career in accounting and finance.
The YES Programme demonstrates a broader trend in mindset and expectation towards further education. A recent survey by World Economic Forum (WEF) and PwC identified just about 50 percent of the working population in surveyed countries are employed in a profession that is aligned with their level of formal education, exhibiting a clear requirement for a more direct emphasis on employment-relevant skills.
The program offers a blend of qualifications, on-the-job training, and contact with industry professionals of a Big Four firm, directly gearing students up for the job that they will be undertaking. This new generation method is fast gaining popularity among high-flying students aiming for a top-notch career in accounting or finance without going around the traditional higher education hurdles.
This affordable and time-saving alternative to university education, expertly designed by PwC professionals, addresses the competencies that will make accountants thrive in the world of tomorrow. This fast-track schedule enables graduates to earn and progress in their careers as their peers are still at university.
One of those who graduated recently and now works for PwC stated "The YES programme was an excellent experience that I couldn't more highly recommend. The quality of teaching and guidance I received during the programme was superb, and thanks to this I landed myself a job at PwC one month after graduating".
The YES Programme indicates a broader movement in professional skills qualification expectations. For instance, a recent US research report by specialist research platform Intelligent found 45 percent of the companies surveyed are abandoning traditional degree requirements in favor of hiring based on skills.
Apart from enhancing accounting and workplace competencies, the program is also a door to internship experience with prestigious organizations in the UAE, provided on successful completion. For those looking for additional studies, graduates can proceed to an MSc at University of London directly, without usual bachelor's degree level prerequisites.
Taimur Ali, partner at PwC and head of qualifications at PwC Academy "The benefit of the YES programme is far more extensive than time and cost efficiencies. It delivers a complete academic experience to students, empowering them with the skills that are necessary to succeed in today's fast-paced environment. Organisations in the region succeed on the adaptability and responsiveness of their talent, which is why initiatives like YES play a crucial role in determining the leaders of the future".
The YES program is available to outstanding secondary school leavers with excellent academic achievement in Mathematics and English who show leadership potential and a desire for a professional career in finance or accounting.
