The apprentice: a guide
We’re FDM, an award-winning global business and technology consultancy. For over 30 years we’ve been powering the people behind tech and innovation. We collaborate with world-leading companies to identify the expertise they need, exactly when they need it.
We have helped successfully launch nearly 25,000 careers globally to date and we are a trusted partner to over 200 companies worldwide and counting.
This month marked National Apprenticeship Week in the UK, so we're taking a closer look at the growing popularity of apprenticeships, particularly in the tech industry. If you are seeking fresh, dynamic talent, our newsletter is your guide to understanding the surge in apprenticeships and the promising opportunities they offer.
🥁 Here’s what to expect:
What is social mobility?
Social mobility refers to the ability of an individual or a family to move up or down the social and economic ladder, within a society or between generations. It is a measure of the extent to which people can improve or worsen their social and economic status in comparison to their parents or previous generations.
There are several types of social mobility, including:
Find out more here.
Apprenticeships play a pivotal role in promoting social mobility as they provide individuals with valuable skills, experience and opportunities for career development regardless of their background. They are an accessible route for school leavers who may not have been able to pursue traditional academic routes like an undergraduate degree. Apprenticeships are based on meritocracy, and so applicants are assessed on characteristics such as ability and potential, rather than academic qualifications and educational background alone.
Why you should include apprentices in your workforce?
An apprenticeship involves training individuals for a specific trade or profession through a combination of on-the-job experience and academic study. This approach integrates practical learning in a workplace with theoretical education at a school or training institution, all under the guidance of an experienced professional.
In the UK, the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced to fund apprenticeship training. Here's how a breakdown of how it works:
1. Employer eligibility
The Apprenticeship Levy applies to employers with a payroll of over £3 million per year. These employers are required to contribute a percentage of their payroll costs (0.5%) into the Apprenticeship Levy.
2. Funding for apprenticeships
Employers who pay into the Apprenticeship Levy can use those funds to cover the cost of apprenticeship training within their organisation. These funds are deposited into an online account called the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). However, the apprenticeship training must be an approved training course. Check out the list of approved courses here.
3. Spending the levy
Employers can access their funds in the DAS to pay for apprenticeship training for their employees. They can choose approved training providers and negotiate the cost of training.
4. Non-levy employers
Employers with a payroll below £3 million per year are not required to pay the Apprenticeship Levy. However, they can still receive government support to cover a significant portion of the apprenticeship training costs. They share a small co-investment percentage (usually 5%) with the government to fund the training.
5. Transfer of levy funds
Levy-paying employers can also transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds to other employers, such as their supply chain partners, to support their apprenticeship programmes.
Read more here on how to hire an apprentice.
Abbe Charlesworth explains the FDM Apprentice Programme
Abbe Charlesworth is one of our Apprenticeship Mentoring Managers at FDM Group. She recently spoke with The Institute of Student Employers and outlined the success of our BSc. Digital Technology Solutions apprenticeship, including our flexi-job agency status received in 2023.
She explains the key to sustainability is an effective off-the-job training programme, crucial for showcasing quality to potential partners. We provide an outstanding 100% achievement rate and retention rate of 93.75%.
Read full article by the Institute of Student Employers here.
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Hear from Ammar Khan
This month we shone the light on our amazing apprentices excelling in their roles both within FDM and on assignment with our clients. Watch his story here.
Interested in finding out what our apprentice consultants can do for your business? Visit this form to request a meeting.
Our apprentice programme
Our apprenticeship programme provides school and college leavers with the chance to gain practical experience, upskill with industry-certified training whilst earning a university degree.
Apprenticeships vs university
A university degree, whether that be a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD, will take between three and eight years to complete. Dependent on the level, an apprenticeship can take between one and five years, but once completed the individual will have gained valuable work experience and professional and technical skills.
An apprenticeship not only allows people to gain industry recognised qualifications but also valuable insights from leading experts, experience how a business operates from the inside and how to deal with real responsibilities and work under pressure to deliver results for a business.
An apprenticeship is a popular choice, with the advantage of being able to ‘learn while you earn,’ as well as a chance to gain real-life work experience long before a university student would.
Find out the pros and cons of choosing an apprenticeship or university course here.
Hear from our apprentice consultants
Our apprenticeship scheme has now seen several of our apprentices successfully complete the programme. Two of them have recently been placed on client assignments after finishing their training. Saif Uddin joined FDM in September 2021 and has just been placed with a leading UK retailer. This is what he had to say:
"I joined the FDM Apprenticeship Programme because of my desire to immerse myself in hands-on experience of the tech industry whilst pursuing a degree. I am proud I seamlessly transitioned into a professional role, where as an IT Support Analyst, I consistently took ownership of responsibilities, showcasing my commitment.
FDM has not only broadened my understanding of the vast IT sector but has also provided me with a unique head start, propelling my career beyond my expectations. The combination of obtaining a degree and learning from seasoned professionals in the field has proven to be invaluable for continuous learning, and substantial professional growth."
Laurence Bedford joined FDM as an apprentice in September 2023 and has already been placed with a global healthcare client. He reflects on his time at FDM:
"The nurturing and inclusive environment at FDM not only propelled me to excel but also helped me secure my first client placement within just months. In my role as an AI Integration Specialist, I am granted access to cutting-edge technology, an immersive experience that surpasses the confines of a conventional university degree. Opting for a degree apprenticeship with FDM was a deliberate choice, driven by the belief that simultaneously acquiring a wealth of commercial experience while studying would prove invaluable for my professional growth."
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👉 Next Month's Edition
In next month's edition of fast4ward in tech, we will be discussing all things women in tech as we celebrate International Women's Day. Let's all come together to #InspireInclusion.
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