“When I was at school, the focus was on getting to university rather than employability.
“I graduated with a Geography degree and worked in several different jobs in retail and even starting training as a dental nurse before I joined MCL InsureTech.”
“The company was one of the first bespoke online car insurance firms in the Irish market.
“Following the success of its4women.ie, the company introduced the 25plus.ie brand - now renamed GetSetGo - which offers online home, car, travel, health and property insurance for the over 25s.
“It’s telematics brand, Boxymo.ie rewards better driving and offers younger drivers more competitive insurance.”
After taking up a position as Accounts Assistant with the MCL InsureTech, Hannah enrolled on the HLA programme at Northern Regional College’s Coleraine campus and, for the next two academic years, spent one day each week in college and the other four days with her employer.
“The HLA is a very ‘hands-on’ practical course and working in an accounts environment makes everything being taught in the classroom all the more relevant as I could apply it to my own work situation.”
Hannah said another major advantage of the HLA was that it allows you to ‘earn as you learn’ without worrying about racking up more student debt.
“I’m earning a salary, getting valuable work experience with MCL InsureTech and an accredited professional in accountancy.”
She admitted that although she never considered doing a HLA herself after doing her A levels, now that she knows more about its benefits, she would have no hesitation recommending it to school leavers as an real alternative to university and employment.
In addition to the HLA in Accountancy, Northern Regional College offers the HLA programme in Computing, Construction, Construction Engineering with Surveying, Engineering and Supply Chain & Logistics.