Why did your company choose to offer degree apprenticeships?

IBM offers a variety of different early professional programmes, from Graduates, University Placement, Apprenticeships and Futures (Gap Year). Our Ignite programme is specifically designed to provide training and experience to unemployed young people. The end goal is to provide professional skills that will open up further employment opportunities.

Degree apprenticeships enable IBM to attract diverse talent, which is essential for innovation. Our degree apprentices have proven to be highly successful in terms of their career velocity and adding value to the business. Degree apprenticeship programmes such as Digital and Technology Solutions enables our apprentices to develop a broad set of knowledge, technical skills and behaviours which complement various entry-level roles in consulting and deeper technical roles.

I have found that many of our senior leaders are passionate about apprenticeships in terms of recruiting raw talent and enabling IBM careers to be more accessible across the UK demographic.

What impact have degree apprentices had in your organisation?

Our degree apprentices work in a variety of different roles across industries such as Financial Services, Public Sector, Manufacturing, Petrochemical, etc. They have been involved in critical projects that have directly impacted the UK, e.g. relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and UK’s exit from the EU. This gives our degree apprentices a real sense of job satisfaction, as they can see how their hard work is contributing to society. 

Increasingly, IBM’s clients are wanting apprentices to be included for the implementation of our solutions.

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

I’ve found that Manchester Met are keen to develop a partnership with employers. In the ever-changing degree apprenticeship landscape, they actively listen to employers and will take action on their feedback. They have robust procedures in place and most importantly, they aim to put the apprentice at the ‘centre’. This is evident in the skill coach meetings where the employer, apprentice and skills coach will discuss progress and identify any support opportunities, enabling apprentices to feel supported and reach their potential.

Would you recommend degree apprenticeships and Manchester Met to other employers?

Absolutely, a great way to recruit and retain talent in your organisation!