Duncan & Toplis apprentice-turned-tax adviser invited to appear on HSBC ‘Gen Z’ business panel

Emmie Doughty, assistant tax manager at Duncan & Toplis Spalding office was invited to join a panel of young professionals to share their perspectives on a range of workplace issues including how Gen Z view the world, what it is they’re looking for from an employer, and how employers should best retain and attract young talent.

At the HSBC-hosted event, which took place at the Raddison Blue Hotel at East Midlands Airport, Emmie and her fellow panellists addressed a room of regional business representatives, each speaking of their experiences on entering the world of work via different vocational routes. They also shared their views on mental health in the workplace, what employers should be doing to attract and retain young talent, and the Environmental, Social, and Governance framework.

They also spoke of their experiences on the traditional university route versus the apprenticeship route, examining the pros and cons of each. As a former apprentice of Duncan & Toplis, Emmie was very much in favour of the apprenticeship route, listing on-the-job training, and developing practical skills in the workplace whilst studying simultaneously as particular benefits over the ‘university’ route.

When asked for their thoughts on apprenticeship schemes, the panel shared the following views:

• Employers should be more proactive in raising awareness of their apprenticeship schemes in schools and sixth-form colleges, targeting the demographic before they’ve committed to a university route into work.
• Had they been more aware of apprenticeship schemes, they would have considered the pathway as opposed to the university route.
• The lack of variety of careers that offer an apprenticeship was, and still is, an existing barrier into professions.
• Some felt they had lost time when compared with their apprenticeship counterparts in developing their practical experience and soft skills that come with training in the workplace.

Emmie thoroughly enjoyed her time on the panel, building her confidence, addressing a room of more than 100 business professionals, and adding to the experience that she’s already achieved through joining Duncan & Toplis as an apprentice.

If you or somebody you know is interested in an apprenticeship scheme then we’d encourage you to take a look at the wide range of opportunities available at Duncan & Toplis.