FDM Group supports outstanding IT undergraduates

FDM Group is once again supporting emerging talent within the IT industry by sponsoring an award for the Best Development Project at the University of Brighton.

Since January 2011 the UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, has been collaborating with the Sussex based University to offer a unique Master Class Programme to exceptional IT graduates.

The pioneering qualification incorporates all aspects of the highly successful FDM Academy Programme as well as a fully- funded MSc in Applied Computer Science.

But this commendable relationship between a top graduate employer and university did not begin here. FDM Group has been sponsoring the “FDM Prize” as part of the University of Brighton’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics prize-giving ceremony since 2008.

The admirable initiative aims to reward the most promising students in the school with a variety of prizes ranging from cash to membership of organisations.

The value of the FDM prize, which is open to final year Computing Programme students, has been demonstrated by the impressive track record of previous winners.

The first student to receive the FDM sponsored award, Jeremy Carey, who joined the FDM Academy Programme, now works as an Investment Banker placed at UBS in the USA.

Previous winners have also stayed true to their academic roots and are working as developers within some of the world’s leading companies.

This year’s winner, Wayne Haffenden, has shown great potential and was highly praised by his course leader for the project that has led to him winning the FDM prize.

FDM’s CEO, Rod Flavell, said:, “FDM Group is extremely proud to be sponsoring this valuable award once again. As a University of Brighton graduate myself I strongly believe in the value of supporting such promising local talent and feel that the awards serve to assure these future graduates that they clearly have what it takes to reach their goals.”

The University of Brighton is equally thrilled with the ongoing relationship. Professor Miltos Petridis, head of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, said: “We are delighted to continue the university’s relationship with FDM Group through their continued support of this prize and the university’s validation of the Applied Computer Science MSc.”

The School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics prize-giving ceremony takes place on 27 July 2011 at 10am in the lecture theatre of the University of Brighton’s new ?23 million Huxley Building.

For more information on FDM Group and FDM Academy please visit www.fdmgroup.com and www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

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FDM Group introduces review initiative to assessment days

In order to continuously improve its assessment process, FDM Group has introduced an anonymous feedback initiative to ensure it is providing graduates with the best possible experience right from the outset.

The UK’s largest IT graduate employer is committed to helping graduates break into the IT industry by providing a unique combination of industry centred training and real commercial experience.

Following a period of phenomenal international expansion, FDM is doubling its graduate intake to 1,000 in 2011.

However the “Best Technical Graduate Recruiter” of 2010 has already received a staggering 17,000 applications so far, therefore competition remains fierce.

To land a place on FDM’s competitive two-year graduate programme, candidates must shine throughout a day long assessment period which includes a logic, technical, soft skill and written test as well as other interviews and exercises.

To ensure that its recruitment process continues to meet the high standards of the company, FDM has introduced anonymous feedback forms to give attendees the opportunity to review FDM’s assessment days.

Since introducing the initiative to its London and Manchester Academies last month the company’s interview process has so far received an astounding response with 91% of the graduates who attended stating that their overall impression of FDM was “positive.”

When asked if they were still interested in joining FDM after the assessment, 98% of the attendees answered “yes”.

Business Support Manager Catherine Cheek said, “Interview processes may seem like an unlikely area for employers to evaluate. However the initiative and fantastic responses we have received so far just highlight how committed we are to providing graduates with the best possible service whether they decide to join FDM or not.”

To find out more about FDM Group please visit the website: www.fdmgroup.com

If you are interesting in joining the FDM Academy please visit: www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

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Posted in: assessment,Group,initiative,introduces,review

FDM Group takes part in City University Work Shadowing Scheme

The UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, has collaborated with City University to offer students the chance to benefit from one-day work shadowing opportunities.

The programme is available to final, penultimate year and Masters students
and has been created to provide participants with a clearer picture of the industry or profession of their choice.

As the UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM is delighted to be taking part in this commendable scheme and is offering work-shadowing days in the departments of Project Management, Learning and Development and Java /.Net Development.

FDM’s Academy Events Manager Madeleine Field said, “The City University scheme is especially apt for us as students often don’t realise just how vital IT is to the business world and how the nature of IT roles has developed. IT Consultants are now required to work at the forefront of business, interacting with a variety of different people in a range of departments. Through this latest initiative we aim to promote the IT industry and encourage students to pursue a career in the field.”

Students who are lucky enough to benefit from the University scheme will also gain a better understanding of the career paths available to them and should be left with a more realistic picture of the job market.

This is another issue close to FDM’s heart and a key reason for its involvement in the work shadowing scheme.

FDM is committed to bridging the gap between academia and employment for graduates and is utilising this latest opportunity to alert students to the fact that IT graduate employers such as FDM can offer a route into the industry.

The company has already received fantastic feedback from participants. City University Student Omar Iqbal said, “I would like to thank FDM for allowing me to benefit from a work shadowing day in Project Management. I found the tour of the facility and the career related information the team shared to be extremely valuable. Being able to talk to members of the PMO stream gave me a great insight into how the academy functions and caters to the needs of the growing demand for skilled professionals in the industry. I will certainly be applying to the programme in the future.”

City University was also thrilled with FDM’s contribution to the scheme. The establishment’s Careers Director, Gary Argent, said, “We are delighted that FDM Group agreed to participate in City University’s inaugural work shadowing scheme in 2011. Our students really value the opportunity to get hands on experience of life in the commercial environment, and the chance to spend a day in FDM’s office will have helped them to make more informed choices about their future career aspirations. We look forward to continuing our relationship with FDM Group in the future.”

FDM hopes that this latest initiative will prove effective in encouraging students to consider a career in IT and will serve to enlighten them about the opportunities available within the industry.

For more information on the FDM Academy programme please visit the website: www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

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Posted in: Group,Scheme,Shadowing,takes,university

Royal Holloway and Study Group enter an agreement

Study Group, a leading specialist educator of international students, and Royal Holloway, University of London today announce a new agreement to provide enhanced study opportunities to international students.

From September 2011, Study Group will run a Foundation Programme for international students on the Royal Holloway campus, in Egham, Surrey. The Foundation Programme has been developed by Royal Holloway and is especially designed to prepare students for undergraduate degrees at Royal Holloway.

The programme has been developed by Royal Holloway teaching staff with expertise in both English for Academic Purposes and university pathway provision, working in collaboration with Royal Holloway’s academic departments.

The Foundation Programme will equip international students who do not fulfil entry criteria for direct entry with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed on Royal Holloway’s undergraduate degrees. Participants will be acclimatised to the UK’s education system and become familiar with the academic and social environment of a UK university.

James Pitman, Study Group Managing Director, HE, UK and Europe, comments: “Royal Holloway is hugely popular with international students thanks to its long history, reputation for academic excellence and beautiful campus. We look forward to helping many of the brightest and best students from all over the world progress through our preparation courses into their chosen Royal Holloway degree programmes and future success.”

Royal Holloway’s Principal, Professor Paul Layzell, says: “Royal Holloway has always warmly welcomed international students, and recognises the importance of providing support and university preparation to prospective students, particularly those arriving from countries that do not have the standard 13-year education system widely seen across Europe.

“Study Group is a specialist international education provider and we are confident that their team will uphold our values of teaching excellence, to maintain our standing as a top-100 world ranked university.”

One third of Royal Holloway’s 8,000 students come from over 100 different countries to experience the benefits of studying at a world-leading, research-intensive university. Both parties look forward to working together to ensure that this agreement enhances the culturally diverse and vibrant learning environment already in place at Royal Holloway.

-ENDS-

For further information or interview opportunities, please contact:

Royal Holloway:

Sophia Haque, Press and Communications Officer: 01784 443552

Study Group:

TopLine Communications
studygroup@toplinecomms.com
+44 (0)207 580 6502

This post was submitted by Study Group.

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Posted in: agreement,enter,Group,Holloway,Royal,study