FDM Group is a global consultancy which helps companies use the latest technology to boost growth. The group employs 4,000 people around the world, and recruits higher degree apprentices every year through Sheffield Hallam University.

We spoke to FDM’s Director of Consultant Talent Kate Hawthorn about how apprenticeships are benefiting their business.

Why do you participate in apprenticeships at FDM?

“Higher degree apprenticeships are a great fit for us, because we already have the right kind of expertise in the business — a robust recruitment process, a philosophy of coaching and training our staff, and lots of clients we can offer new talent to.

“In addition, Sheffield Hallam’s ethos of widening participation matches our own. Apprenticeships feed into our social mobility agenda, as an option for people who would face significant financial hardship accessing university through the traditional route.”

What do apprenticeships bring to your business?

“Our apprentices are skilled in time management and they hit the ground running. By the time they've completed their apprenticeship they deliver more quickly than the graduates joining us, due to the hands-on applied experience they've gained throughout the programme. They have curiosity and a hunger to be successful. They’re really motivated, and they develop all the time.

“They also provide a pipeline to our graduate programme. They're a great hire for that, as they know the business, they have client experience, they've applied their learning, they're efficient and they’re quick to place.”

What successes have your degree apprentices helped your business achieve?

“All our apprentices work on mission-critical projects for us and our clients. For example, apprentices are an essential part of our service desk, troubleshooting everyday IT issues. An apprentice works on our commercial billing platform. Others work in infosec keeping our systems safe. And we have apprentices on site with clients working on all kinds of projects such as generative AI.

“As a member of the government’s Flexi-Job Register we’re also able to provide additional placements with our clients so that our apprentices get a richer experience, and we’re able to create a revenue model that will enable us to develop the programme at scale.”

How do apprenticeships help break down the barriers to opportunity?

“As a business with a strong social purpose, this is an important driver for us. It's about providing opportunities to those who wouldn't usually have access to a university degree because of the financial sacrifice required.

“One of our first apprentices joined us as a working mum and had a second child while on the programme. She came to the UK from overseas and would have faced international tuition fees. We also have apprentices who can’t access student loans for faith reasons. We can provide a debt-free opportunity.

“Another of our apprentices is an ex-policeman who wanted to retrain for a job in IT. He has a family to support and couldn’t make that financial sacrifice to go to university, but through the apprenticeship we were able to provide him with paid work experience and the opportunity to study.

“Apprenticeships are all about potential. We measure a candidate’s capability and strength, not their expertise or experience. It plays a strong part in our commitment to social mobility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”

How do your apprenticeships help grow the UK economy?

“Our whole business is leveraged on closing down the digital skills gap and contributing to the UK economy. Our chief operating officer Sheila Flavell is the president of Tech UK. We are a business that has a responsibility to ensure that the UK has a skilled digital workforce, and the apprenticeship programme is a big part of that.”

Would you recommend taking on apprentices to other businesses?

“Yes. You’ll get highly motivated fresh talent who will give you high productivity and boost your revenue. It will also build a loyal employee base. Our retention rates among apprentices are very high.”