When you finish your A-levels, the normal thing to do at my school is to go on to university...

When you finish your A-levels, the normal thing to do at my school is to go on to university. “Oxford or Cambridge?” would be the biggest problem that people faced. There was very little information on any alternative routes, but what I have chosen to do instead has been the best decision that I have ever made.

My name is Amy Kirby and I am one of 6 apprentices that have started at Rathbones in Liverpool at the beginning of October. It is the first scheme they have ever done of its kind – usually taking on graduates. This blog is going to essentially be a diary of my time here at Rathbones, hopefully giving an insight as to what life is like here, as well as showing that there are options other than university.

The apprenticeship is working as a partnership between Rathbones and Archbishop Beck College. We aim to achieve an NVQ in business and administration by the end of the first year, and to complete the Investment Operations Certificate by the end of the second. The IOC is a qualification I know is essential if you want to work in the financial industry.