I completed a Maths degree at Loughborough University before deciding to take a higher level apprenticeship as a route into work.

I found this role through the government’s apprenticeship website and made an application. I was invited along to a selection day and was pleased to be offered the job.

My apprenticeship will take two years to complete. It’s a mix of work and study. Overall, the study makes up 20% of the time and, for this course, it’s largely online. The study is co-ordinated by an external training provider and, by the end, I will have completed the Chartered Institute of Auditors part 1 exam.

Working in Internal Audit is giving me a valuable overview of the whole business. So far, I’ve worked on projects to review Paragon’s anti-money laundering controls, as well as our management of financial crime and financial accounting. After two years, I’ll be in a good position to decide whether to continue to build a career in Internal Audit or develop my career in another interesting part of the business.

I think the hardest part is ensuring I mange my time effectively to stay on top of my workload and complete all my study.

If you’re thinking about an apprenticeship at Paragon, I’d say go for it! Paragon is a fantastic company and a great place to start your career.