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This entry is a Finalist in the “Exceptional Learning & Development” category on Thursday 23 June 2011
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John Watkins Director of Learning and Development PK (UK) LLP |
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| PKF Experience |
| In 2010, Accountants and Business Advisers, PKF (UK) LLP have sought to promote a career in accountancy to those at school and in Higher Education in a distinctive and insightful way. In an environment where career decisions are being made earlier and earlier, where tuition fees are prompting greater consideration of the work versus university alternative, PKF has attempted to provide clarity and advice to those with difficult decisions to make. In total 75 students have participated, ranging from 15 year olds studying for A Levels to University undergraduates approaching the end of their studies. |
| Impact | Innovation | |
| The PKF Experience provides information on the careers available and offers insights on individual journeys to allow the professionals of tomorrow to assess the pros and cons of life as an accountant. The PKF Experience provides advice on cvs, gives interview practice, challenges students to analyse a business case study and introduces some personal development techniques.
The PKF Experience culminates with a challenge against the clock designed to test skills required in the workplace – time management, prioritising, use of resources, creativity, attention to detail, teamwork and dealing with difficult and unexpected challenges. |
The PKF Experience is very different to an ordinary work experience opportunity. A peer group is established with whom to network going forward and the cv can be updated to feature participation on a distinctive and ambitious programme.
PKF staff themselves develop through their presentations to attendees and their role as mentors in the business simulation. It also offers the opportunity to constructively evaluate cvs and to feedback advice on how to impress in an interview scenario. The popularity of the event has generated interest and support amongst careers advisers, who have helped prepare attendees and conducted internal selection competitions. |
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| Insight | Inspiration | |
| The programme was designed to allow experimentation with sessions which might then be used for internal training. As it turned out the students were better prepared than expected to undertake stretching challenges outside their comfort zone and potentially the initial experience was ‘easier’ than anticipated. The bar has been raised steadily since. The last PKF Experience of the year was disrupted by snow, so timing might be reconsidered, but then the students responded heroically so even that turned out well in the end! |
The presentation at the conference will be a reflection of how a simple idea, designed to benefit multiple parties can be brought to fruition with a positive attitude and willingness to take a calculated risk. It will reflect heavily on the nature of the generation emerging from education at the current time in a business environment that is as difficult as can possibly be imagined.
It will be a heartening, upbeat, positive, light-hearted tale and ideally will feature some of the attendees to really bring it to life to those present. |
| John Watkins |
 John Watkins is the Director of Learning and Development at PKF (UK) LLP. The role gives John responsibility for overseeing the development of the firm’s 1,400 partners and staff and involves him delivering a number of courses and workshops aimed at enhancing people and other management skills. John is a qualified accountant with many years of experience in providing professional services to clients in the public and private sector. |
