Why did Fujitsu choose to offer Degree Apprenticeships?

Traditionally we have offered a Graduate Programme, which has been fairly successful. However, retention has always been an issue in the year after completion of the program.

We started to offer degree apprenticeships in 2018. We have found that the talent pool is exceptional. Our belief is that we are building long-term relationships, guiding individuals in ways of working that mean that they are more valuable to us than graduates that join, as they already have the company ethos and methods of work embedded in them as second nature. Initially, there were some that questioned the wisdom and only saw the spending of the apprentice levy as the driver but now we only have praise for the work our apprentices undertake.

How has Fujitsu benefitted from the work done by your degree apprentice(s)?

On a personal level, I find working with our apprentices intellectually challenging which helps to keep me thinking and learning too! Their natural inquisitiveness and thirst for knowledge, not just the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’, keeps us all on our toes.

From a Fujitsu perspective, the apprentices are a bright light on our move to a more agile approach in creating software solutions. They easily pick up on the approach and an agile method appears to be closely aligned with how they live and adapt to daily challenges. As such, we are happy for them to take the lead on training our graduates and other more senior development staff in agile approaches – the mindset is all-important.

We are now producing software solutions for both internal and external customers utilising teams made up of our junior talent (apprentices and graduates) that we did not have the capability for only a few short years ago.

Why did you choose Manchester Met and how have you found working with us?

Due to the success of our programme in Bracknell and the lack of northern-based teams, we decided to create a team in our Manchester office with a particular emphasis on Cloud deliveries. Discussions took place with Manchester Met and we quickly realised that they were a good fit for our culture and had the desire to create opportunities for a team of apprentices. My experiences since we started the journey in 2019 have been entirely positive. I know that Manchester Met has a professional team that I can call upon should there be any issues arising that need a joint approach between the learning provider and employer.

Would you recommend Degree Apprenticeships and Manchester Met to other employers?

I would highly recommend Manchester Met to other employers. Their professionalism is evident from the very first session held with them. They are also very accommodating to employers setting up their apprenticeship schemes, from providing advice and guidance to even allowing us to use rooms at the University to hold induction sessions when we had insufficient space in our office due to a refurbishment taking place.

Our apprentices are full of praise for the lecture staff and enjoy their time at the University on a Monday of each week during term time. I would also like to add that I am extremely impressed by the pastoral care provided and my personal thanks go to Kathy Kord, Skills Coach (Employer Liaison Tutor).