The Institute of Coding is working with JP Morgan on a new digital degree apprenticeship programme, designed to enable the bank’s experienced employees to gain a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Bath while they work.
The pilot follows the approval of the Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist qualification in August 2018 and ultimately has been designed to help businesses boost workforce skills by giving employees access to high quality e-learning services.
JP Morgan is the first organisation to enrol employees in this apprenticeship, which is open to Bournemouth and London-based employees in the bank’s Global Technology group.
The first group, comprising of 15 people, began the new Level 7 programme in October 2018. They will spend the equivalent of one day per week studying for the next 2.5 years and obtain an MSc accreditation once the course has been completed. The second cohort will start in autumn 2019.
“The new Digital Degree Apprenticeship course provides a major opportunity for UK businesses to upskill employees, equipping them with the latest computer science qualifications, without jeopardising productivity,” said Rachid Hourizi, director, Institute of Coding.
“Working with JP Morgan has allowed us to pilot this scheme with a great name attached to it.
“This initiative is also about personal empowerment, giving workers the chance to increase their value, learn new skills and improve their careers by gaining access to high quality education without having to commit to fulltime education and travel.
“This is the latest in a series of major IoC initiatives designed to spread opportunity to everyone, from all backgrounds, ensuring the country has a strong supply of employees with the technical knowledge and abilities to drive the economy forward.”
Derek Joyce, managing director within technology strategy at JP Morgan, commented: “Technology is evolving at such a pace that it’s critical for us all to focus on learning.
“This apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for some of our experienced employees to take that time and get access to high quality, hands-on training that will build technology skills, increase their impact and kick-start the next phase of their career.
“It forms part of our overall apprenticeship strategy that delivers on the UK government objective of recruiting new, entry-level apprentices into high-tech roles as well as developing existing employees to have technology skills needed for the future.”