Manchester based Northcoders, the leading coding bootcamp for the North, is launching a software apprenticeship programme that aims to open up its multi award-winning coding bootcamp to as many people as possible.
The organisation, which has trained 169 people via 12 cohorts since its launch in 2015, has been consistently seeking ways to open up the programme to people from all backgrounds and, in light of the new Apprenticeship Standards, now feels the time is right to offer this new avenue. Twenty apprenticeships will be available in this initial pilot with the first intake starting in early September.
James Brooke – co-founder of Northcoders – said: “Northcoders was set up because we couldn’t square in our minds that, on the one hand we have a booming tech sector and on the other so many people in the North are either living in or near poverty. It’s obvious that the solution to the skills shortage is the people of our region but that divide needs to be bridged. We believe the Northcoders Apprenticeship goes a long way in addressing this as it will be a credible pathway that can help anyone take those job opportunities which are now on offer.
“We have been resolutely focussed on creating a learning experience that delivers what the businesses of this region need. Over 90% of our graduates now get job offers, on average salaries of £26k, within two weeks.
“However, we’ve been restricted in our mission by the traditional coding bootcamp business model, but the apprenticeship programme will tackle this head on. Students won’t have to pay and they can earn while they’re on the course, and businesses can access talent cost-effectively through apprenticeships. It will also serve as a great way for businesses to re-skill their current workforce. It’s still Northcoders – but it just got a whole lot better for everyone.”
Following a pre-assessment and Recruitment Day, where potential apprentices will meet potential employers, the programme will be split into three stages:
Stage 1: Following a two-day briefing at Northcoders, apprentices will work through a pre-bootcamp programme in their employer’s office (two weeks), followed by the usual Northcoders bootcamp, which can vary in length from 12 to 16 weeks, depending on individual apprentices’ learning needs. The apprentices will work alongside Northcoders’ ‘private route’ students
Stage 2: they will then complete the rest of the 14-month programme, working as part of the team at their employer’s office, during which time they will receive constant support from Northcoders, including spending one day per month at the firm’s city centre headquarters. They will also complete a portfolio of work to be assessed
Stage 3: Apprentices will spend the final weeks, both at their employers and in workshop days at Northcoders, finalising their portfolio and sitting final exams in order to complete their apprenticeship and earn the City and Guilds Level 4 Software Developer qualification
The pay scale for the apprenticeship programme will be: Stage 1: £9,000, Stage 2: £18,000 and Stage 3: £25,000. The expected post apprenticeship salary is £30,000.
The Northcoders model of rigorous pre-qualification, flexible class sizes and programme continuation will ensure ongoing support for students and quality graduates for employers. This will make it unique in the industry and the sector and robust for both employers and apprentices.
The company has partnered with leading national apprenticeship provider, Total People, to ensure it gets the regulatory elements of the programme absolutely right.
Linda Dean, MD of Total People said: “We all know there are huge skills gaps in the world of digital and tech and we’ve been extremely proud to work in partnership with organisations like The Juice Academy to help fill these gaps over the last five years. Northcoders has a superb reputation in the world of training already and we are looking forward to being part of its next important chapter.”
More information as well as an application form for both potential employees and apprentices are on the Northcoders website: www.northcoders.com/apprenticeships
