Celebrating #YouthMonth: Luke Tollman & Nic Forshaw Disrupt Recruitment with Apti
In celebration of Youth Month, we explore how Luke Tollman and Nic Forshaw, two newly qualified chartered accountants from South Africa, turned their challenges in securing articles placements into an innovative tech startup named Apti. Launched on June 30, 2025, Apti revolutionizes recruitment by directly connecting accounting students with firms, aiming to simplify the often stressful decision-making process in the competitive job market.
Founders’ Background and Motivation to Innovate
Luke Tollman and Nic Forshaw, both recent CA(SA) graduates, were driven by personal challenges in their article placement journey. Their experiences highlighted the lack of adequate support for students during the decision-making process.
Recognizing these gaps, they co-founded Apti, aiming to create a streamlined platform that simplifies the connection between aspiring accountants and firms. This initiative was born from a desire to benefit future students.
As Forshaw notes, “We built Apti to serve as a platform for students to learn more about themselves, the options available to them, and to connect them with firms efficiently.”
Apti’s Approach to Transforming Recruitment
Apti addresses the common misconceptions about the difficulty of securing articles placements by focusing on matching the right students with appropriate programmes. This strategy reduces the associated administrative burdens.
Tollman explains that Apti streamlines the application process by creating custom digital CVs and managing submissions, significantly easing the workload for students. Their goal is to help each candidate find tailored opportunities.
According to Forshaw, “The real challenge is matching the right student to the right programme, and Apti effectively removes the barriers that complicate this process.”
In conclusion, Luke Tollman and Nic Forshaw have not only triumphed over the challenges of securing articles placements but have ingeniously transformed their experiences into a ground-breaking tech platform, Apti. Their journey serves as an inspiring testament to how young entrepreneurs can leverage technology to create impactful solutions that address real-world problems, revolutionizing the recruitment landscape for future accounting professionals. As Apti continues to grow, it exemplifies the potential for innovation to enhance equity and access in professional training, paving the way for countless students to find suitable opportunities without the burdens of traditional recruitment methods.
As we close this discussion in celebration of Youth Month, it’s vital to recognize the dedication and foresight that led to the creation of Apti, a testament to innovation driven by personal experience. Luke and Nic’s commitment to disrupting the recruitment process exemplifies how young professionals can embody the change they wish to see, providing a valuable resource that not only alleviates the stress associated with article placements but also democratizes access for aspiring accountants. Their story encourages other youth to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations, leveraging technology to solve pressing challenges.
Ultimately, the journey of Luke Tollman and Nic Forshaw encapsulates the essence of Youth Month—empowerment through innovation and resilience. With Apti, they have not only created a solution for themselves but have also opened doors for future generations of accounting students, highlighting the importance of adaptability and creativity in overcoming obstacles. Their success is a reminder that with the right tools and determination, young entrepreneurs can redefine industries and inspire others to follow suit, establishing a legacy of progressive change in the professional world.
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