Local accountants are encouraging apprentices on the accountancy, project management and professional services Higher Apprenticeship programmes to enter a national competition.

The competition, part of the WorldSkills UK portfolio of competitions, is an interactive business game that will enable apprentices to compete against each other to be crowned the 2013 Apprentice Business Challenge champion.

Regional heats will be held in Leeds, Birmingham and London on May 21, 22 and 23.

The top six teams will be invited to compete at the National Final in London on July 19.

Nigel Atkinson, the president of the York Society of Chartered Accountants, said: “Our professional body, ICAEW, is committed to broadening access to the accountancy profession”.

Anyone planning to enter must register online. The deadline for entries is March 22.

For further information visit www.icaew.com/abc, phone 01908 248 250 or email abc@icaew.com