John Lewis launches IT degree apprenticeship programme
John Lewis has opened applications for its new IT degree apprenticeship which is due to begin in September.
Developed in conjunction with The Tech Partnership, the four year degree apprenticeship will offer eight students who have completed A Levels the opportunity to gain on the job training within the head office IT department at John Lewis whilst studying for a degree in Digital & Technology Solutions.
Apprentices will spend three days per week working in the IT department at the retailer’s head office in Victoria and two days per week studying at Queen Mary University London. IT apprentices will get the opportunity to work within several areas of the IT team to help them develop a technical specialism.
At the end of the four year programme, candidates will obtain a full BSc (Hons) degree and progress to the next stage of their IT career within the John Lewis IT team. Candidates will be paid a salary throughout the programme, which will start at £16,000 and rise each year based on performance. In addition, candidates will not amass any tuition fee debt.
Paul Coby, IT director at John Lewis, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to work with The Tech Partnership to offer talented young people the opportunity to kick-start a career in IT through our new degree apprenticeship. This programme is a great alternative to university and successful applicants will receive transferable workplace skills in addition to a degree education, and I hope that we will find some future leaders in IT via this scheme.”
The programme will welcome its first intake in September 2016 and will run alongside other John Lewis apprenticeship schemes.