What if we told you…

You could have a constant supply of newly skilled, engaged and motivated employees ready to seamlessly slot into your working environment. Arriving with not only the academic or technical skills required, but with practical knowledge and industry specific experience required to deliver immediate value to your business.

What if we told you these new employees would understand your culture, be statistically more likely to stay longer and would most likely cost less than offshore resources or University graduates.

What if we told you they would grow with your company and form a key part of your future management and succession planning proposals. What if we told you all this can be supplied by us at no additional cost to you?

Would you like to find out more?

KEY FEATURES

NGet a constant supply of junior talent
NTalent ready to grow within your business
NArriving with workplace, industry and trade relevant skills
NEager to learn, grateful for opportunity, statistically more likely to stay
NAll professionally trained in career skills by industry experts
NWith a multitude of continued training and career development opportunities

REQUIREMENTS

Over £30,000 of professional training for free*
A managed lifecycle of junior professional talent
Talent growing through your ranks with increasing accountability
Continuous 'Masterclass' programmes over 18 months
Enrolment and access to The S&A Academy Alumni
Access to S&A Group company benefits

*Assumes UK Company

Technology, Digital & Data Apprenticeships

Our professional apprenticeship programmes for technology, digital and data have been rebuilt from the ground up for 2023.

We have taken the base curriculums which meet the UK Governments standards for apprenticeships and added a whole host of industry learning modules. From agile project management added to our software engineering programmes to DevSecOps added to our Software Testing & QA apprenticeships.

We have co-designed the programme with leading CIO’s and Heads of Engineering across the UK and enlisted the support of a number of tech based UK companies to ensure our training programmes aligns to the skills required of a technologist landing in your company today.

We have also designed a number of industry aligned software engineering apprenticeship programmes, such as our ‘Advanced Software Engineering Apprenticeship for Embedded Devices in Broadband & Media’ which includes our core curriculum plus additional programmes in RDK, Yocto and Lightning (to name a but a few)

Science, Laboratory & Research Apprenticeships

Our professional apprenticeship programmes for science and laboratory based careers are taught by qualified PhD scientists and specialist industry experienced instructors. Our programmes are delivered in two different models and employers often combine both to solve different talent needs for our employers.

An apprentice who successfully completes the programme receives a formal qualification equivalent to a UK University degree. Yet they will have worked in your environment, with your people and be immersed in your culture and processes.

We run standard apprenticeship programmes like ‘Lab Technician’ which covers a broad range of subjects and skills, as well as a number of industry aligned and enhanced programmes suitable for pharma, manufacturing, metrology and food science. We can also tailor our programmes to suit your industry by combining our programmes with other industry recognised qualifications, certifications, and trade body schemes. Get in touch if you would like to learn more.

Immersive (Bootcamp) or Progressive (Weekly Release)

We run two different types of apprenticeship model, and many of our clients like to put their employees on both.

Our technology clients seem to prefer the immersive ‘bootcamp’ model. In this approach, we take new apprentices and train them full time, inside our Academy, for circa 12 weeks and then train them for a further 15+ months in a hybrid model whilst they work in their employers teams. This suits role types like software engineers as they require a level of competence before they can provide value in the workplace. However, for advanced courses like data science, where employers cannot afford to lose staff for weeks on end, a day release model can work better.

Our Science/Lab based clients love both. An immersive delivery model means employees are safe and capable in the lab straight after bootcamp (10 weeks). However, a junior lab technician, with the right supervision, can we a useful staff member on day 1 so a more traditional ‘day release’ is more useful to an employer. Get in touch to discuss which option suits you best.

You can get skilled employees 3 months from your first contact with us!

Some things about professional apprenticeships…

Upskill or Career Changer

There are a number of government funding rules which we, and you as an employer, must follow. They may seem complicated but contact us and we can talk you through the details. However, generally employers can effectively use the apprenticeship training programme not just to train new employees but also to re-train or re-skill current employees. Providing your employee does not have a current relevant qualification, know as prior learning, they will qualify for an apprenticeship programme. For example, if your employee has a University degree in software engineering, they will not always qualify for an apprenticeship as a traditional software engineer. However, a degree holder is certainly eligible to take an employed apprenticeship in a different qualification.

16 – 60+ Age Range

We recruit and/or train apprentices with age ranges from 16 to over 60. Our current record is 62 years old and given its success we aim to beat 62! It is a myth that UK government subsidised apprenticeships are for young people only, for manaul trades only, for people who can’t get into Univeristy, are not for people who have been to University, are the modern ‘YTS’ etc etc.

Find out the real facts on Apprenticeships

New or Current Employees

It is true that we run monthly selection programmes to recruit new employees to join our client apprenticeship programmes. It’s also true that we offer this find, assess, filter type recruitment process free of charge to our clients. However, we also onboard our current clients staff to upskill them via our apprenticeship programmes.

If your company has great employees but in the wrong role, or you find yourself short of skills in one area and about to make redundancies in another, talk to us. We have taken Business Analysts and trained them as coders, taken clerical staff and trained them to work in laboratories and taken academic professors and turned them into software testers.

Our Professional Apprenticeship Programmes Provide a whole host of benefits.

Not only do we provide well over £100k of professional training, at no cost to employers, over the course of 18 months, but we run monthly selection and recruitment programmes all over the UK to constantly maintain a pool of ready made candidates. Whilst we can, and would love to, train your current employees via our UK Government Levy subsidised progremmes, you can also gain free access to our screened and ready candidates who could well be your next role model employee.

We WILL Find, Select, Recruit & Train YOUR New Employees

We run monthly selection programmes for our own businesses and our clients all across the UK. Each month selecting suitable candidates to enter our various PROFESSIONAL APPRENTICESHIP programmes.

So you can be assured we will have the right candidates, with the right aptitudes and attitudes to become your next wave of innovative, long-term, loyal emplolyees.

We will Source & Train & Your Employees

Technology, Digital & Data Apprenticeships

Professional Software Developer Apprenticeship

With a decade long, worldwide engineering shortage, appropriate resource planning has traditionally been extremely difficult. Here’s your opportunity to take ownership of your talent pipeline – by creating your own developers on a course that’s built for your business.

Our software development team comprises technical experts, passionate coders, and professional teachers. We’re part of The S&A Transform Group and we can, and do, utilise the expertise and industry knowledge the whole of the business and technology transformation teams can give us to train our own apprentices.

Through 2022 we reimagined exactly what a modern software development programme should look like. Adding modules on agile, project management, web3, lowcode and other appropriate subjects so our apprentices understand much more than just isolated coding skills. They know how to develop but also how to fit into a modern SDLC working environment.

We then put all our knowledge into our 12 week bootcamp. Our course has been built from the ground up with robust education principles baked into every single day to ensure our (soon to be your) junior talent is ready to go on day one. Within 3 months you will have a useful, and safe, addition to your team. From there they develop fast.

The learning doesn’t stop. Our Software Developer Apprenticeship is a 18 month programme, with masterclasses and modules interspersed throughout the learning journey.

Our core differentiator is our ability to bespoke aspects of the curriculum to suit employers around the UK. We’ve got Python, we’ve got C#, and we even have fairly niche masterclasses in things like Linux, Yokto, C++ and the amazing Lightning JS tool.

If you need something else, just ask us. Our software development experts will work with you to create a junior developer programme that targets the key areas you require now, and help you prepare for the next 6, 12, 18 months ahead – and beyond.

Get a constant supply of on-shore employees qualified, capable and ready for a career in your company

Software Testing and Quality Engineering Professional Apprenticeship

You can’t go to university to become a qualified Software Tester or QA Engineer but you can gain a qualification, hands on experience and a bright career in one of the fastest growing industries in technology with our 10 week bootcamp and further 15 month Software Testing Apprenticeship.

By the end of our training course, new testers will be able to confidently navigate their new role and will be a credible member of your software testing capability. Regardless of your methodology or CI/CD toolset. They will be able to use standard industry tools and apply modern testing techniques and practices to testing processes, all with a good understanding of the [multiple] SDLC’s.

As with the majority of our bootcamp format apprenticeships, learning is delivered via front-loading the knowledge transfer so participants are “work ready” in record time. We can hire, train and deploy a credible Software Tester in around 3 months from your first contact with us. They will be your employee, becoming immersed in your culture and will continue their learning over a further 15 months in a hybrid model, with training from us and on the job training and experience from you until they have a professional apprenticeship qualification equivalent to a University Degree.

Our course doesn’t just focus on the hard technical skills, we put a great deal of emphasis on the so called softer skills and include mental health, resilience, and collaborative communication at the forefront of this exciting bootcamp.

We believe our software testing /QA Engineering apprenticeship programme is unique and can give leading CIO’s and technology leaders a ‘home grown’ onshore skilled employee at much better value than any offshoring resource model. Get a loyal, trained and capable employee who will grow with your Company.

Data Science & Analytics Apprenticeship

Launching May 2023

Our product roadmap includes the design, development and delivery of a Professional Apprenticeship in ‘DATA SCIENCE & DATA ANALYTICS’.

Our business does not take ‘off the shelf’ learning schemas, which are often 7+ years old, and simply teach them. Every programme we undertake involves meticulously deconstructing the available programmes and rebuilding them with the latest thinking. methodologies and tools to ensure any of your employees (new or currently employed) going through our programme will have an exceptionally high level of ‘useful’ technical skills as they join your workforce.

Therefore, please give us a few more months before we launch our new programme.

YOU CAN of course talk to us now about enrolling your current staff our getting involved in our current candidate selection programmes to ensure you are one of the first to benefit from the new programme in May 2023. Contact us for an informal, confidential discussion.

We If you would like to sponsor a Data Science & Analytics apprentice please get in touch with us. Our pioneering first programme is due to start in May 2023.

Cloud Engineer, Site Reliabilty Enginer (inc DevOps/DevSecOps) Apprenticeship

Launching May 2023.

If you would like to sponsor a Cloud Engineer SRE apprentice please get in touch with us. Our pioneering first programme is due to start in May 2023.

Science, Laboratory & Research Apprenticeships

Lab Technician Apprenticeship

From pharma, to concrete testing to adhesives – lab technicians are our key resources

The course is designed for those looking to progress into lab based roles, or existing employees who would like to learn more about the theory behind what they do.

Delivered ‘in person’ via our unique online platform, the course will equip your future scientists with the skills needed to be able to work effectively in the Laboratory on Day 1.

Teaching is front loaded for the first 9 weeks of the apprenticeship by way of an immersive bootcamp, in which apprentices alternate between training with their Credersi instructors and embedding their new skills back in the workplace in a 3-weekly cycle.

Our Apprentices each have the opportunity to perform experimental technique in their own home with equipment sent directly to their door. This includes; balances, pipettes, pH meters and relevant glassware.

Get in touch to discuss your options with one of our Apprenticeship consultants.

Metrology Technician Apprenticeship

Not weather but measure!

The course is designed for those looking to progress into the science sector and have a keen interest in the way equipment makes measurements. Metrology is the science of measurement and includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. Measurement underpins the UK economy and international trade. This important work is carried out by skilled Metrology Technicians who understand core measurement principles and practices and whose role is to interpret and apply these whilst carrying out measurement activities in whichever industry they work.

Delivered ‘in person’ via our unique online platform, the course will equip your future scientists with the skills needed to be able to work effectively in the business on Day 1.

Teaching is delivered via block training throughout the apprenticeship by way of an immersive bootcamp, in which apprentices alternate between training with their instructors and embedding their new skills back in the workplace in a monthly cycle.

Get in touch to discuss your options with one of our Apprenticeship consultants.

Advanced Technician Scientist Apprenticeship

L5 Advanced Science Apprenticeship

The course is designed for those looking to progress into more senior roles within the Laboratory roles, or from a L3 Apprenticeship who would like to learn more about the theory behind what they do. As a Technician Scientist you will carry out established laboratory based investigations and basic scientific experimentation using bench and instrumentation techniques contribute to solutions to problems within the wider scientific team, using appropriate project management procedures

Delivered ‘in person’ via our unique online platform, the course will equip your future scientists with the skills needed to be able to work effectively in the Laboratory.

Teaching is delivered via block training throughout the apprenticeship by way of an immersive bootcamp, in which apprentices alternate between training with their instructors and embedding their new skills back in the workplace in a monthly cycle. You will then progress on to a Higher National Diploma in with Applied Chemistry or Applied Biology at L5 via block training whilst working towards key skills required to work successfully as a Technician Scientist.

Our Apprentices each have the opportunity to attend residentials to improve their ability in techniques such as A-septic technique, Pipetting, Weighing, Making Solutions as well as Mass Spectrometry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography.

Get in touch to discuss your options with one of our Apprenticeship consultants.

Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship

Critical Roles in the Manufacturing Industry

The course is designed for those looking to progress into manufacturing-based roles, or existing employees who would like to learn more about the theory behind what they do. A science manufacturing technician will operate the systems and equipment involved in the production of products within the Science Industry.

Delivered ‘in person’ via our unique online platform, the course will equip your future scientists with the skills needed to be able to work effectively in the Laboratory on Day 1.

Teaching is delivered via block training throughout the apprenticeship by way of an immersive bootcamp, in which apprentices alternate between training with their instructors and embedding their new skills back in the workplace in a monthly cycle. You will then progress on to a Higher National Certificate in with Applied Chemistry or Applied Biology at L4 via block training whilst working towards key skills required to work successfully as a Science Manufacturing Technician.

Our Apprentices each have the opportunity to attend residentials to improve their ability in techniques such as Mass Spectrometry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography.

Get in touch to discuss your options with one of our Apprenticeship consultants.

Food Technologist Apprenticeship

A major component of why our food is safe to eat

This course is designed for those looking to progress into the food and feed manufacturing sector, or existing employees who would like to learn more about the theory behind what they do.

A Food Technologist ensures all products are safe to eat, of consistent appearance, taste, and texture and may be based in a laboratory or factory or both; within a laboratory-based environment to ensure the safety and quality of food products, in development roles to improve existing products and launch new products, in factory based roles working with teams to develop good manufacturing practices, and within the supply chain to develop good relationships with suppliers and customers.

Delivered ‘in person’ via our unique online platform, the course will equip your future scientists with the skills needed to be able to work effectively in the business on Day 1.

Teaching is delivered via block training throughout the apprenticeship by way of an immersive bootcamp, in which apprentices alternate between training with their instructors and embedding their new skills back in the workplace in a monthly cycle whilst working towards their Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology.

Our Apprentices each have the opportunity to perform experimental technique in their own home with equipment sent directly to their door. This includes; balances, pipettes, pH metres, refractometers and relevant glassware.

Get in touch to discuss your options with one of our Apprenticeship consultants.

Few opportunities in business are actually this good!

A typical business hiring junior professional talent will either look to their recruitment teams or to an in-house graduate scheme. Both of which take time and money. With recruitment 50-50 at best, a company is often paying top-dollar for just a few years experience. As well as paying 20%+ of that salary in recruitment fees! Our solution solves all these challenges for our clients.

Graduate Schemes v Our Professional Apprenticeship Programmes

	Typical Way	Our Way
Recruitment Fees	You Pay £20k+ in recruitment fees for every new hire	We run constantly run selection programmes which you can choose from so you pay NO recruitment fees
Time to Recruit	You have to start, run and complete recruitment campaigns as required.	We run constant selection programmes so new candidates are ready every month
Bulk Onboarding	Your Graduate Schemes typically land in baulk once a year	Our programmes run constantly and can be aligned to provide new employees every month if required.
Relevant Skills	University teaches set academic qualifications to suit examinations	Our Professional Apprenticeships are built with our industry partners and aligned to all the skills required to allow the new employee to seamlessly fit into your workplace
Employee Retention	Graduates are notorious for job hopping and chasing higher salaries	Apprentices grow with you and quickly become loyal and eager to build a career with the Company (and humans) that sponsored them through their apprenticeships
Employee Time To Value	New employees need time to learn the employers environment	Our Apprentices typically start with a 3 month full time immersive bootcamp. So they provide immediate value when they land on site. Then continue learning and increasing value over a further 15-18 months.
Our Enhanced Apprenticeships		We take the core training curriculum most of our competitors deliver (the government standard) and enhance it with dozens of extra industry related lessons, workshops, events and practical skills to ensure our apprentices are trained to commando standards and ready to work.