Record number of graduates and students sign up

PwC, one of the largest recruiters of graduates and school leavers across the country, has welcomed 219 new graduates to its Birmingham practice, including graduate level, higher apprentices and school leavers in its autumn intake. 

With a further 31 recruits into PwC’s East Midlands office and 25 into Milton Keynes, PwC’s total recruitment reaches a record 275 new joiners across the Midlands - a 23% increase on its 2019 intake.

From this, 38% are female, 45% are from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, 63% from non-selective state schools, and 43% come from households where neither parent has completed higher education studies. Nationally, the firm has recruited over 1,300 graduates.

The professional services firm has taken on 197 graduates from universities across the country, including this region's universities: the University of Birmingham, Aston University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, University of Wolverhampton, University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Loughborough University, De Montfort University and the University of Wolverhampton.

PwC is also welcoming over 130 students who are participating in the Flying Start programme - a degree course run in conjunction with PwC, ICAEW, University of Nottingham Business School, University of Reading, Newcastle University and the University of Manchester Business School. The programme allows students to study at university, as well as gaining practical paid work experience with PwC. 

In addition, 42 students joined its third cohort of the technology degree apprenticeship programme with the University of Birmingham, where students enjoy a fully-funded degree, work placements with PwC and employment beyond.

Matthew Hammond, senior partner for the Birmingham office and Midlands region leader, said: “We are thrilled to welcome our annual intake of graduates, higher apprentices and school leavers in Birmingham, despite so much instability for young people and in the midst of Covid-19 restrictions.

"It demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding opportunities for those at the outset of their careers. I am pleased to see how the class of 2020 has adapted so quickly with virtual inductions and immediately learning new ways of working.

“We recruit local talent including school leavers, higher apprentices and graduates from a diverse range of backgrounds, because we want to actively invest in the next generation of future leaders from our region.

“Our technology degree apprenticeship with the University of Birmingham, which is now in its third year, is just one of many examples of how we are breaking down barriers to support diversity in the people we recruit to build exciting technology based careers with us."

This year’s intake is the second group to have taken part in PwC’s tech-enabled application process, which includes game-based assessments and video interviews and are now taking part in a fully virtual induction experience. Over the summer of 2020, 6000 young people benefited from PwC’s virtual work experience initiatives. 

Pictured: From left, graduates Ramunas Juskaitis and Martha Fitzpatrick-Greening, with Chris Shepherd, PwC Midlands financial services leader