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).
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)
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 supplementary on 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;
At the end of this period, you will be able to fulfil many roles from Software Development & Testing to Data Engineering & Analysis.
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 just need to show up everyday, 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.
Technical excellence: an intense, full-time training period 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;
Months 4+ to 28 (a role in tech)
At the end of the training, you’ll 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 with them 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 role in tech.
Once you’re 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 help 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.
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, or
- If you didn’t get at least a 2:2 (but still graduated), then you achieved at least an A or B in one STEM subject at A-Level. Please also show us that you’re comfortable with numbers and enjoy solving problems e.g. maybe you got an A in Maths, maybe you’re an avid chess player, etc.
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
Complete an online gamified assessment focused primarily on your problem solving ability - no maths or coding required! 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 you understand how the code works and how you go about solving problems.
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.
Interested in applying? Simply click the button below to get started.
