WIRRAL student Shane Hooker has been given the opportunity to kick-start his accountancy career by securing a £15,000 scholarship to study with a local financial company.

Eighteen-year-old Shane, from Wallasey, is one of 25 young people selected from 300 nationwide to study accountancy with Kaplan Financial. He will pursue his studies with the Birkenhead practice Priory Partnership.

He impressed a panel of interviewers with his passion for numbers, solving problems and desire to work in an accountancy-related field.

Shane said: "University wasn't for me and it's almost impossible to get into the accounting industry without a higher education qualification.

"An apprenticeship is a great route for people like me who know exactly what career they want.

"I feel gaining practical experience will make me more employable after my scholarship has finished, and I won’t have a ton of debt to worry about!"

The successful candidates will receive £15,000 worth of accountancy apprenticeship training followed by a further professional qualification to become a charted accountant.

Kaplan works closely with local schools to find new talent and, through their free recruitment service, matches the most appropriate candidates with local businesses who are looking to take on apprentices.

Stuart Penny, director of The Priory Partnership said: "Shane really impressed us at interview and has already attained the scholarship prize, so we believe he has a bright future ahead of him in accountancy and are looking forward to working with him when he joins us in September."