What are the most common challenges trainees face?

A huge challenge for trainees is balancing their professional exams with a demanding on-the-job role. Our programme blends studying for a professional qualification, whilst also contributing to real audit work. This can feel intense sometimes, especially around exam times. However, we provide trainees with the tools, structure and support they need to navigate these periods effectively. We offer strong support and encouragement from line managers, buddies, peer networks and the training provider to help our trainees achieve excellent exam results and continue to develop their audit skills.

Another challenge trainees can face at the start of the programme is the amount of information they receive. The induction and initial training do cover a lot in a short space of time. This, balanced with settling into a new professional environment, can seem overwhelming. However, as they progress, our trainees build confidence, adjust to the pace of public sector audit work and develop a strong understanding of the organisations they work with. We make sure we support them every step of the way. 

What key skills do you think trainees develop most during the programme?

We’re proud of our trainee programme. Our trainees develop a strong blend of technical and personal skills. On the more technical side, they build a solid understanding of audit and public sector accountability, applying what they learn in exams directly to real audit work across Welsh public bodies. 

Equally importantly, trainees develop other essential skills for long term careers in audit and the wider public sector. Some of these include analytical and critical thinking skills, particularly when assessing evidence and forming judgements, communication skills, especially explaining complex issues to both internal and external stakeholders, time management and prioritisation skills as they learn to juggle competing deadlines and collaboration and teamwork skills. 

What attitudes or behaviours make a trainee stand out?

There are many things that can make a trainee stand out. Some of the qualities they tend to show are curiosity – asking questions and researching processes, resilience – staying motivated when things don’t go how they expected, professionalism and integrity – demonstrating the values and mission of Audit Wales and showing commitment to their own personal development. 

What excites you about the future of the trainee programme?

What’s exciting is that our trainee programme continues to evolve and improve based on experience and feedback.

Our recent work around strengthening pathways, improving induction, and creating clearer progression routes reflects a genuine commitment to making the programme more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable in the long term. 

There’s also a growing recognition of the importance of modern skills including digital confidence, developing well-rounded professionals and ensuring the programme works for people from different backgrounds and entry routes into the profession.

Overall, the future of the Audit Wales trainee programme is about continuing to invest in people and ensuring trainees are well equipped to meet the evolving challenges facing public services in Wales. 

You can find out more about the Audit Wales trainee programme on our early careers webpages.