A leading Cumbria-based accountancy firm has enlisted 17 new apprentices as part of an ongoing learning programme.

Saint & Co delivers a range of apprenticeship schemes across four offices in the county.

This year, it expanded the scope of its annual programme to accommodate more learning opportunities and a larger range of apprentices.

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Of the new intake, ten apprentices are based at the firm's Carlisle office.

Alex Lamont and Katy North are working towards their Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) qualification, while Nathan Ellwood, Aidan Wilson and John Glendinning are pursuing the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) level three status.

Completing the Carlisle apprentices are Abbie Richardson, Grace Emerson, Steph Every, Ryan Coulthard and Hannah Brown, all striving for the ACA Chartered Accountant qualification.

Mr Lamont, 17, said: "I did a year of Sixth Form but decided I preferred more practical learning so I went looking for an apprenticeship, which meant I could still get my qualifications while getting experience in the working world.

"I’ve always loved maths and had always wanted to be an accountant, so when I got this apprenticeship with Saint & Co it seemed like everything had fallen into place."

The company's commitment to apprenticeships extends across its network of offices, with four apprentices based in Ambleside, two between Whitehaven and Millom, and one in Wigton, alongside the ten in Carlisle.

Sophie Graham, the firm’s Student Training Partner, supervises the programme.

She said: "Working with apprentices is very important to us as a company and we want to ensure that we offer wider career pathways for all, and not potentially miss out on somebody who doesn’t go down the more traditional route of a university degree."

She added: "The majority of partners within Saint & Co who started with the company as students themselves, so we know first-hand how effective they can be as a starting point in somebody’s career."

The apprenticeship programme is open to adults of any age and experience.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their CV and cover letter to Ms Graham at sophie.graham@saint.co.uk.