Your Development

What you can expect from us

In order to add value to our business, you need to understand our business - as much of it as possible. Your development programme is designed to help you build breadth as well as depth of knowledge and is underpinned by our firm-wide development framework. There are six separate elements to the framework and, whichever business area you apply to and whether you join us as a Generalist or Specialist, you'll experience all of them over the course of five or so years. Together they'll help you acquire a portfolio of valuable, transferable skills.

Training Gaining a good balance of business, personal and technical skills predominates in your first two to three years. For many, working towards a professional qualification is a big part of the technical training. It's a steep learning curve that calls for a great deal of self-discipline and motivation but we sponsor and support you in full.
Coaching Frank, open, one-to-one conversations about your development objectives start early - the first is with your coach during your induction. But a range of key people will be on hand to guide, advise and help you plan ahead. They'll include a buddy who will help you settle in; and a partner or director mentor to boost your understanding both of the firm and your longer-term opportunities.
Feedback Regular, constructive, focused feedback is part and parcel of life at PwC and you should expect to give it as well as receive it. We encourage you to come to your own conclusions on your performance first, then get the views of others. The aim is to help you learn from and build on your experiences. It works both ways too, so we'll regularly ask you for feedback on the people you're working with.
Variety of work We build this into your day as well as your ongoing career. You'll work in different teams and offices; experience different clients and types of project; try out new roles and even sample other business areas.
Mobility After two years, and regularly after that, we encourage you to develop even greater breadth and depth of knowledge. You'll review what you've done to date, think about your options for the future and consider taking on a new challenge. That might involve joining a new team, tackling different responsibilities within the same team or relocating. The number of options you'll have will depend on the area and route you joined initially. But whatever that is, you will learn continuously and enjoy a career that's stimulating, challenging and rewarding.
Self awareness We all have strengths and weaknesses. The important thing is to know what they are, then you can build on your strengths and address your weaknesses. Through feedback, coaching and formal learning, we help you do both.

What we’ll expect from you

Studying for a professional qualification while holding down a demanding full-time job is tough. And don’t think you can relax if you’re not taking a professional qualification. We’ll still expect you to manage your time so you get the best from your technical, business and personal effectiveness skills training – especially during your first ten weeks with us. This is when you'll be absorbing enormous amounts of information, familiarising yourself with the firm and its culture, and meeting many new colleagues.

You'll be on a steep learning curve. And even though you’ll have the support of fellow students and experienced tutors, you’ll need to take personal responsibility for making sure you get through your exams. That means:

reserving your first few months for work and study - so avoid taking holidays or days off
attending every class, being proactive and asking for help when you need it
sitting every 'mock test' in advance of the exams. Your tutors will regularly report back to PwC's Professional Qualifications team on individual attendance and performance in class so that everyone knows early on if additional help or encouragement is needed.
putting in the hours of study - and you'll find it's a completely different ball game compared to university. PwC is the university of business. It's down to you to find the most comfortable environment in which to revise - whether that's at home, in the office or in the library.
preparing your own revision schedule and sticking to it - even if that means making sacrifices on the home front, and saying a firm 'no' to family or friends who might make demands on you.

Remember - gain your professional qualification and you'll open up a world of possibilities for yourself. Your more experienced colleagues will tell you it's worth putting the effort in now, during your initial training. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your labour when your training is complete.