Vodafone and Multiverse partnership to offer software engineering apprenticeships

Newbury-headquartered telecoms giant Vodafone is partnering with apprenticeships provider Multiverse to offer 15-month junior software engineer apprenticeships, a 68 per cent reduction In qualification time.

Launching this month, the programme’s pilot has recruited apprentices from across Vodafone’s technology division. Designed as an alternative to university and corporate training, it will begin with a full-time, three-month bootcamp, finishing in a 12-month work placement.

The new course is similar to Vodafone’s previous ‘Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship’, a level six qualification which took 36-48 months. The new course offers a level four qualification in 15 months, with the option available to continue on to a level 6 degree should the student desire.

Ahmed El Sayed, Vodafone’s Global Engineering Director & UK Chief Information Officer, said: “Last year we committed to adding nearly 7,000 software engineers to our expanding European-wide technical workforce by 2025.

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“This means adopting a ‘build not buy’ approach, whereby we develop more of our own products and services in-house, to give us more control and help us respond to the needs of our customers more effectively.

“This programme is a key part of a broader plan to deliver on that commitment in the UK. Not only will it support building future capability and diverse talent pipelines, it will allow us to put a strategic focus on building critical skills at pace and fast tracking engineers, while increasing the diversity of our technology function.

“Since the introduction of this programme, around 55% of applicants have been women, which is fantastic, and we are looking forward to what we believe will be a very successful partnership with Multiverse.”

Multiverse, a startup tech company which has achieved unicorn status, will deliver the training. The firm currently trains more than 8,000 tech, leadership and digital apprentices for more than 500 companies.

Jeremy Duggan, President, Multiverse, said: “Despite being one of the fastest growing and most in-demand skills of today’s economy, software engineers remain in short supply – a gap that traditional graduate hiring cannot plug.

“Forward-thinking companies like Vodafone are growing their hiring pool and building skills in-house through the use of professional apprenticeships. We’re delighted to partner with them on this world-class programme that will not only create career opportunities for young professionals, but will also grow the in-house capabilities of the business.”

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