World class training as a pathway to working in tech
Our aim is to train, support and provide opportunities for graduates to start working in technology and excel throughout their careers. We do this by investing in our education and support to provide high-calibre training and access to high-performance insight.
Months 1 to 3-4 (world class training)
We truly believe that anyone can have a high-performance career in software and data if they want to (the biggest indicator will be whether you enjoy solving problems, by yourself initially before working with others). On our programme, you need to show up every day, honestly commit to the work and help your colleagues over the 3-4 months. The training is free, unpaid and before starting the training programme you will need to commit to work for Sigma Labs for 2 years afterwards should we find you a role.
Professional high performance: modules in logical problem solving, teamwork and professional excellence. We’ve built on the best graduate programmes in the world (Bain, McKinsey & BCG), and while this ‘professional training’ may seem less important for a technical programme, in our experience, it will be your ability to work as part of a high-performance professional team that will determine your long term success. We consider this training as important as the technical aspects
Technical excellence: an intense, full-time training period (Mon - Fri, 9 am to 6 pm) covering software and data engineering; ES6, JavaScript, Python, SQL, introductory data science (pandas, regression analysis) and best practice industry fundamentals (Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Test Driven Development (TDD), agile methodologies). This training will adapt as the demand for different skills changes. However, our goal is to over-qualify you, so maximising our chance of finding a client for you.
At the end of this period, you will be able to fulfil many roles from Software Development & Testing to Data Engineering & Analysis.
Months 4+ to 28 (a role in tech)
After training, you will enter a Transition Period of 4 to 8 weeks. During this time we will set up interviews with our clients with the intention that you work as part of their team for 2 years. Our laser focus and entire model are based upon finding you work with our clients, so you can be assured we will do everything we can to turn you into a high-performance professional. We can’t guarantee exactly what the role will be (e.g. full stack, back end, front end, data engineering, software testing, etc.) but you will have the ability to excel.
During the transition period, you will also work on personal projects and continue to learn to help consolidate your knowledge and better prepare you for your first tech role. Our team will continue to be available to support you.
When you start working with one of our clients, your salary with Sigma Labs begins (£30,000). We will continue to develop you through this period with ongoing technical, pastoral and professional support via our team.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure you have the skills and practical experience to be in a mid-level technical role after 2 years and ultimately excel in a much longer career. We want to set you up now with the knowledge and belief to do that.
Months 28+ (a network to drive continued success)
After working for Sigma Labs for 2 years, the following will happen:
- You will either continue to be an employee of Sigma Labs, transition to the client or find a mid-level technical job for another company. Our goal is that you’ll now be able to earn >£40,000. More importantly, we hope you’ll continue to learn as part of an exceptional career;
- You’ll join the Sigma Labs network: a group of >100 people, director level and above at some of the best companies in the world (Google, DeepMind, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Citigroup, BCG, Bain, McKinsey, Unilever, Nestle, etc.). All have committed to helping Sigma Labs graduates continue an upward career trajectory.
If you’re unsure, email us to ask us anything: about the training, the job, the company, your career. Career decisions are significant events so while we want you to do your research we also want to give you the chance to get to know us first.
Software is everywhere
By beginning your career in a technical field such as software, data or cloud (anything from software development, to test engineering to ServiceNow architecture) you’ll have the power to shape both your future and the world around you.
It was developers that connected every mobile on the planet, that wrote the software that drives every Tesla, and that allowed the global financial markets to function from an iPhone. We can’t promise that you’ll do these things on Day 1, but you will learn how to over the two years.
To give you an idea of how much software has affected the world so far, consider the following:
- 7 of the 10 largest companies in the world are technology companies. The other three are increasingly digitising how they operate;
- Spend on digital transformation, changing physical process to digital ones, is forecast to be over $6 trillion per year by 2024 (IDC);
- Spend on corporate software and services is expected to be more than $2 trillion per year in 2023 (Gartner).
Start Coding
If you want to know if you would like a career working in technology then start coding and see how much you enjoy it. Even though there will be days when you don't code as much you would expect, coding will be central to everything you do and it makes it much easier if you enjoy it!
For anyone new(ish) to coding, you could try Udacity's Free Intro to Python Programming. These 7 simple lessons will take you through the fundamentals to writing good code that produce accurate results. Candidates who reach our final assessment will use Python to solve some problems and we recommend everyone complete this course beforehand. Even Computer Science graduates have found this helpful for giving them a stronger foundation.
If you want further inspiration, then try out the following videos:
- What most schools don't teach you some big names sharing their thoughts on the coding "superpower";
- The history of computer science best way to know where we are going is to know where we have come from;
- What does a software developer actually do? a developer sets out the activities they regularly do.
Great communication skills
Clear, concise and engaging communication makes everything easier whether through writing, interviewing or collaboration
An ability to solve problems
Coding is a problem-solving tool, but what really matters is your approach, e.g. logical, breaking things down, considering a range of factors and not just what is in front of you.
A Coachable character
You want to learn and develop and understand that failing is part of the process and are open to talking about it
A Conscientious mindset
You set goals that others appreciate and will work hard to achieve them to the best of your ability
A Proactive personality
You don't wait to be told what to do but look for opportunities to improve and persist until you make the most of them.
Economic
At least one of the following applies:
- Attended a non-academically selective state school between the ages of 11 and 16.
- Received free school meals
- Grew up in a household with a total annual income less than £43,000.
- Received local authority care.
- Received university benefits.
Education
We do not accept applications from anyone who attended private school in the UK or abroad.
The economic criteria are used to assess those who attended secondary school in the UK. Applicants who were educated outside of the UK will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Were awarded, or are predicted, a 2:2 or higher for a 3-4 year degree in the UK in any subject since 2018, or
- If you graduated with a 3rd then you achieved at least an A in one STEM subject at A-Level.
Right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK for at least 3 years after starting. Typically this means that the following applies:
- UK Passport holder
- EEA/EU Settled Status
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
Currently we cannot sponsor visas. Please get in touch if you think you may be eligible in a different way to what has been shown above.
Application: Background, Eligibility and Motivation
Tell us about yourself, the coding that you have (or have not) done and why you want to work in technology.
Stage 1: Understanding your Skill and Potential
There are two parts:
(a) an online gamified assessment focused primarily on your problem solving ability - no maths or coding required!
(b) If you show an approach we think aligns well with coding, we will ask you to answer a few additional questions to see what makes you tick.
Stage 2: 30 minute Video Interview
Meet with one of our team members, get to know us and use the opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and that you think and communicate well enough to add value as part of a team.
Stage 3: Technical Interview
Between applying and Stage 3 we will encourage you to learn how to code in Python as that is what will be used in the assessment. This is not about showing how great a coder you are (our training doesn't benefit great coders). We want to see how you solve problems using code as a tool and therefore you need to understand how the "tool" works.
Offer and Training begins
We will send you an offer letter and hope you accept. The training will be predominantly online but we will invite you to our London office at times (we will cover expenses) as face-to-face interactions are difficult to beat.
If the above has not answered your questions, please drop us an email here.
The application form is below. Please follow the instructions closely and review your answers before submitting to ensure all of the details are correct. We always recommend checking What we are looking for and Eligibility before getting started to give you the best chance of progressing.
If you want to know more about what a career in software or data could look like then watch this video on what a software developer does and then try a little coding.
We have created a FAQs page with answers to candidates' most common question. If you have any further questions then please drop us an email and ask us anything. Remember, you don't need coding experience before applying.
We are currently focused on hiring people for our new March cohort and the early bird deadline is 20th December. People who apply by this date are most likely to be chosen.
Key Points of our Offer:
- 3-4 months of high quality and supportive training followed by 2 years working as part of a client team. See our Glassdoor reviews for insight into what it is like.
- Training is online with daily workshops, coding challenges and weekly coursework and projects. Support is provided through regular 1 to 1s, trainee support groups and a great coach to trainee ratio that allows for quick responses to questions.
- After consultants join our clients, we support through regular 1 to 1s to discuss the latest feedback and performance, high performance mindset training, continued technical support and access to the greater Sigma Labs network.
- After starting with a client the 1st year salary is £30,000 p.a. and the 2nd year salary is £38,000 p.a.
