PwC Spain has signed an agreement with CEU to launch Work Academy, a groundbreaking project that will, for the first time in Europe, allow PwC professionals to accredit their experience through two university diplomas and a Master's degree. The firm estimates that over the next four years, approximately 4.500 professionals will obtain university certification of the professional profile they develop while working at the company as a result of the technical training, soft skills, and on-the-job training acquired through projects with top-tier clients.

Employees starting their professional careers at PwC Spain, in addition to enhancing their skills and acquiring the knowledge essential for performing the roles of auditor, consultant, lawyer, or tax advisor within the firm, will now also have the opportunity to obtain a university diploma, certified by such a prestigious academic institution as the CEU Cardenal Herrera. The acquired competencies will be certified through the new concept of microcredentials, using the latest Open Badges technology.

Comprehensive Training and Professional Journey

The training and professional journey will have two milestones: after two years of working and training at PwC Spain, employees will be eligible for an Expert Diploma in their area of specialization. After four years with the company, they can qualify for a second Diploma, opening the door to a Master's degree from the University.

PwC Spain professionals will be able to attain a Master's in Professional Services in one of 16 different specialties, through their outstanding professional performance and the time dedicated to training and study necessary for working in various areas of the firm.. The specialties on offer are financial and non-financial auditing, digital auditing, public fund auditing, compliance and regulation in the banking sector, compliance and regulation in the insurance sector, governance, risks, sustainability and compliance, financial function and capital markets, business consulting, strategic consulting, cybersecurity consulting, data governance, and technological risks, advisory in financial transactions, forensic advisory services, corporate legal advisory, strategy advisory, and reporting for the tax function, and human resources advisory.

Strong Commitment to Talent and Training

For Gonzalo Sánchez, President of PwC Spain, "Work Academy is a further step in the firm's strong commitment to the talent and training of its professionals. The agreement will accredit academically a value that the market has recognized for years—the value of learning a profession.”  He goes on to point out that PwC is “very proud to have been able to make this pioneering initiative a reality, allowing us to continue adding value to our young talent by bringing university and business together.

Javier Tello Bellosillo, General Director of the Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU, notes, "This agreement reflects the pioneering spirit that has always characterized CEU in the field of education." He adds that, "Together with the prestigious company PwC, we embark on a joint project that paves the way for recognizing the training necessary for the performance and development of professionals in the workplace."

Strong Growth in Training Investment and Record Hirings

PwC's policy of training and attracting talent reflects the firm's strong commitment to recruiting the best professionals in order to provide an excellent and distinctive service to clients. In the last two years, PwC has increased its investment in training by 61%, with an even higher increase of 70% for soft skills training.

PwC concluded 2023 with a record number of 1.647 hires between January 1 and December 31. This addition to the workforce, both of recent graduates and of experienced professionals, spans all areas of business: Auditing (841), Consulting (384), Legal and Fiscal Advisory (271), and Transactions (151), and reaffirms PwC's position as one of the country's leading employers.