Posted on: 10/02/2026

News

West Midlands Employers is strengthening public sector careers through a finance apprenticeship supporting early career finance talent. New apprentice Ajmer Sidhu is gaining hands-on finance experience while studying for an AAT Level 2 qualification, demonstrating how apprenticeships build practical skills, professional confidence and long-term career pathways.

A recent opportunity within the finance team at West Midlands Employers has supported an early-career professional to begin building practical finance experience alongside formal study, highlighting the value of public sector roles as a starting point for long-term careers.

Ajmer Sidhu joined West Midlands Employers as a finance apprentice after actively seeking apprenticeship opportunities advertised through WMJobs and the GOV.UK ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ service. The role, advertised by the finance team, offered a practical route into finance and closely matched Ajmer’s career ambitions.

“I explored an apprenticeship because it’s a practical way to get a foot in the door and take the first step in developing my financial career,” Ajmer said. “In a highly competitive job market, employers really value experience alongside qualifications.”

Since joining the organisation, Ajmer has quickly become part of the finance e team, supporting a range of day-to-day activities. His work so far includes helping to process sales invoices, managing remittance advices and customer purchase orders for the jobs board side of the business, and recording financial information using both Excel and Sage 50.

“This has really helped improve my Excel skills and build my understanding of finance terms, processes and documentation,” he explained.

As his apprenticeship progresses, Ajmer will be learning and supporting compliance-focused financial transactional processing across such areas as bank reconciliation, accounts payable invoice processing, client invoicing for our other service areas, managing our busy shared finance inboxes, processing credit card expenses, and raising purchase orders to suppliers.

Although still early in his time with West Midlands Employers, Ajmer is already gaining hands-on experience of how finance works in practice. “Even in the first few weeks, I’ve been involved in real finance tasks,” he said. “It’s helped me understand how finance operates in a working organisation.

” Alongside his role, Ajmer is working towards an AAT Level 2 qualification and is supported with a dedicated study day each week. This balance helps him manage his learning alongside his work, while continuing to contribute to the team.

Working in the public sector has also brought wider benefits. Ajmer has highlighted the supportive culture and focus on development as a key part of his experience. “The most valuable part so far has been working in a welcoming environment where colleagues and managers have shown a genuine interest in helping me learn and develop.”

Looking ahead, Ajmer plans to continue progressing through further AAT qualifications and take on more responsibility within finance.

Ajmer’s journey is a reminder of the opportunities public sector roles can offer.

Apprenticeships and entry-level roles across the region are regularly advertised on WMJobs, alongside national platforms such as GOV.UK, helping employers connect with early-career talent and supporting people to take their first steps into public sector careers.

For apprenticeship opportunities, resources and case studies visit the ‘Apprenticeship Hub’ at WMJobs.