A special government panel has been set up to improve social mobility into the professions after commissioned surveys showed that ex-public school pupils dominate professions such as accountancy whence 48% of trainees are derived.
In PQ Magazine March 2010 the major accountancy bodies, AAT, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA, and ICAE&W defend their position by pointing out that there are open routes to entry into the accounting profession, without having to go through a degree course.
The problem appears to lie in the employers, with many chartered accountancy practices, the traditional route for ACA trainees in auditing preferring to take on traditional “red brick” university graduates with 2:1 degrees, who are more likely to have gone through the public schools.
From the Cabinet Strategy Unit Web Page (extract)
The Panel on Fair Access to the professions has published its final report. Lead by the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn its 18 panel members examined the barriers and pathways to reaching professions for all people – regardless of their background.
The report was commissioned by the Prime Minister following the New Opportunities White Paper which examined the issue of social mobility and its importance for the economy and social justice, ensuring everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential and secure the jobs of the future.
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