Some of the most frequently asked questions about our Academies
You can only make one first impression - make sure it counts!
The Application Process
Who Do We Look For?
You! We want your passion, your knowledge, your intelligence, your experience, basically, we want your skills! We welcome your integrity, your need to excel and provide the best service to customers. We want your innovative ideas, your will to make a difference, and your soft spot for technology. We want you because you are you, and we want you to bring your difference to Version 1. Our Digital Academies FAQs should give you some help and guidance to make the most out of your application.
Applying
First and foremost, we want you to be honest. You need to tailor your CV for the position you are going for, and we want to hear all about you; your history, your degree, your passion for IT, everything that helps you to stand out from the crowd.
A big one – we’re all about Excellence, so make sure you proofread your CV!
Preparing for the Interviews
Know your stuff, and ours too!
Don’t hesitate to talk to us about your CV and how you can match with us. We also need you to be confident you know everything about us so you can check out our social media sites (especially LinkedIn) as well as our website. We want you to know all about us, so you will have an informed decision on how you can benefit from Version 1, and how we can help you make the most of your career.
Making a good first impression
A couple of common areas that help make a difference:
- Be on time and punctual
- Dress appropriately
- Be honest – ask all the questions you want
- Be yourself – your personality counts the most!
Some FAQ's regarding our Academies
Yes! Our Accelerate Digital Academies are designed to upskill people that interested in starting their careers in Tech and are a perfect fit for new graduates. Our Digital Academy is designed to provide participants with intensive technical training to upskills in specific technologies to kick start your career.
Yes! Version 1 recognises that talent comes in all different forms. Whether you have a background in the arts, hospitality, law, or construction we know that everyone has the potential to use their background and transferable skills to build a great career in tech. As long as you meet our entry requirements of a 2:2 Degree in any discipline or level 5 NVQ and a passion to learn new skills we would love you to apply.
Initially, you will be enrolled in an intensive 8-12 week programme that will be focused on developing your technical skills within a technical specialism. This will include foundation elements, the opportunity to put your learning into practice in project simulations, and certified accreditations from our Technology Partners.
You will also learn essential soft skills such as effective teamwork and time management. The most important learning will be when you eventually join your team, as you have the chance to learn practical skills, on the job!
Over the course of the 18-month journey you will also complete top-up training in line with your Pathways development plan to help further progress your career.
Through the 18-month Early Careers journey, you have the opportunity for three salary uplifts in conjunction with going through the CPD Level 1 stages (Early/Mid/Late). The uplifts are to take place in month 6 of 5%, month 12 with an additional 5%, and finally, month 18 with a 10% increase. These uplifts are not automatic and need to be approved by Line Managers if expectations are being met. It is therefore important that you and your manager have regular 1:1 check-ins.
These meetings will help you to understand what you need to do in order to reach and pass your milestones that have been outlined through the Pathways (our internal career progression model) development plan specifically for digital academy participants to ensure your success.
You will be a consultant within your specialism upon the completion of the Academy Programme with the expectation that you will have met all career milestones outlined within the Pathways programme.
From Stars to Cloud: Starting a career in IT in your 40's
"Like all career changes, it may not be easy but it certainly is possible."
Take a read of a blog from one of our recent joiners via our Academies. Thomas discusses his daunting change of career, where he swapped out life on a tour bus to that of a DevOps engineer.
