South West accountancy firm Old Mill has become a regional ambassador for apprenticeships to demonstrate and promote its commitment to training and inspiring young people.
The firm, which has offices in Wells, Melksham, Yeovil and Exeter, has joined the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (SWAAN), which specifically aims to engage more businesses in the region to commit to apprenticeships and encourage young people to choose them. 
The network aims to raise awareness of how apprenticeship programmes meet the needs of employers, communities and the economy as well as offering a route for both businesses and individuals to achieve success.
By becoming a part of SWAAN, Old Mill has become an Apprentice Ambassador, alongside 85 other businesses and organisations across the South West, including stockbrokers and advisors Hargreaves Lansdown, Wessex Water, cidermaker Thatchers and energy giant EDF, as well as the University of Exeter and a range of public bodies including the Royal Marines, Met Office and Wiltshire and Devon county councils.
SWAAN members come together to share good practice in apprenticeship delivery, to learn from each other and to develop new ideas for attracting, retaining and growing their individual apprenticeship programmes.
Old Mill will join fellow ambassadors in supporting and influencing a wide range of key stakeholders including schools, colleges, local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), new employers and their supply chains, trade associations and employment bodies.
It will also raise awareness of apprenticeships by organising events and initiatives, sharing insight and mentoring other employers in the area.
Old Mill managing director Ian Carlson said: “We work at the cutting edge of accounting and wealth management, across a wide range of sectors, with a broad client portfolio.
“Our clients are ambitious, energetic businesses and individuals, and the key to providing them with outstanding service is to recruit and retain fantastic people with the same energy and ambition. And this is where the apprenticeship programme helps us immensely.”
Up to a third of Old Mill’s employees are working towards a professional qualification at any one time, with apprentices making up a significant number.
Ian Carlson added: “Our trainees represent the future of Old Mill, which is why we are delighted to support the apprenticeship programme, and to be part of the Ambassador network.
Another element of SWAAN is the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN) – a community of current and graduate apprentices who are proud of their apprenticeship experience and want to inspire others
These Young Apprentice Ambassadors promote apprenticeships to young people in the area by advocating the range of subjects, benefits, progression routes and extensive career opportunities they provide.
Old Mill is looking to encourage its apprentices to become Young Apprentice Ambassadors, as it feels they are best placed to demonstrate to others the benefits of apprenticeships in the region to businesses, individuals and the wider community.
