CIMA’s Apprenticeships offer you the option of working full time in finance, making money whilst studying to qualify for the Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) designation. Many people in England, from all backgrounds, can benefit from this approach to pursuing the CGMA designation.
Amelia Fisher achieved her CGMA designation in 2022 and shared how her apprenticeship further developed her career.
CIMA’s Apprenticeships can assist with advancing your career.
After graduating university, I took a job with DHL working with operational performance reporting.
I enjoyed working at DHL and wanted to further my career with the company. At university, I earned a psychology degree, but I discovered that I also liked statistics. So, I took the chance to move internally within DHL onto the CGMA scheme.
I learned about financial accounting during my first CGMA course, which seemed overwhelming at first. But as I moved through the CGMA syllabus, I realised that each module built on the last one.
The CGMA syllabus has three levels — Operational, Management, and Strategic — and each level has one objective test and three case study exams to complete.
My training provider worked with DHL to provide off-the-job training and checked my progress as an apprentice. I was able to spend 20% of my time learning outside of work, which helped me understand the information needed to foster my professional and personal growth.
The apprenticeship helped me gain useful on-the-job experience in different business areas. I developed vital presentation and communication skills, which I could put to good use at DHL. I don’t think I would have had the same chance to develop those abilities without the apprenticeship.
I received guidance and encouragement from my superiors during the apprenticeship. I also got help from DHL’s hardworking staff and line managers, who look out for graduates and apprentices like me whilst on placement. They worked extensively with me to figure out the best way to assist.
Before the graduate scheme, I had never led a group of people, but I learned quickly. My apprenticeship studies, especially in management strategy, prepared me for this new leadership role.
I found that many of the discussions about different types of management and workplace personalities were familiar because of my studies in psychology.
Earn the knowledge, experience, and skills that make you stand out.
The chances of being invited to an interview and ultimately landing a job improve significantly once you achieve the CGMA designation.
During my journey, my newfound presentation and communication skills prepared me for interviews and other professional interactions. Once I completed the apprenticeship, I applied for a full-time, permanent position with confidence because of my experience at DHL for three noteworthy years.
My apprenticeship served as a vital step to success because I could pursue my studies and work at the same time. I already liked my job at DHL before looking for an apprenticeship. But I realised that the programme through CIMA would do more for me later down the line.
After all my hard work and the development and training provided by the apprenticeship programme, I’ll soon start my role as a finance business partner at DHL. Because of my experience and the success I’ve achieved, I encourage others to learn more and apply for CIMA’s Apprenticeships.
Discover how you can begin your apprenticeship journey. You can apply for CIMA’s Apprenticeship if you live in England.
