Introducing our new apprentices

MV place diversity and inclusion as top priority when recruiting new team members and believe strongly that apprenticeships allow young people to develop the skills they need to progress in their careers whilst offering businesses a great deal of talent for their future workforce.  You can find out more about our apprenticeship partner Estio via their website.

We sat down with George Roberts, Head of Support & QA and MV’s new apprentices on Service Desk, Charlie Healy and Harrison Arrowsmith.

Why does MV embrace apprenticeship schemes?

GR:  MV have a strong diversity and inclusion policy when recruiting new team members and have found that the schemes allow young people to develop their career whilst adding a huge amount of value to us.  As all of our solutions are developed in house, working on Service Desk is a great opportunity for apprentices to get to grips with our software and support customers with their needs.  Not only do we find that our apprentices have an eagerness to learn and succeed, they bring a new energy to the team which helps with productivity and team spirit.

The apprenticeship scheme will allow MV to create a career incubator within the Support team, that will allow us to develop talent and invest in the future of our people and the business as a whole.

To our apprentices, why did you choose to go down this career path?

HA: At the age of 16 I enrolled in the Army where I developed my IT skills and gained some valuable qualifications.  After three years, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in IT outside of the armed forces.  I started to look around and found that an apprenticeship would be the ideal way to better myself and get myself into paid employment.   

CH: After my GCSE’s I went to college to study for a BTEC in IT.  Once complete I had to make the decision to either go into employment or head off to university.  I was really fortunate with my research as my Aunt is head of apprenticeships at a construction company and she was able to give me some really valuable advice.  I felt that I could go to university and would still most likely end up at a similar position to what I was being offered immediately through an apprenticeship.  For me, the apprenticeship was the logical way to go.

So, why did you join MV?

HA: I came across the job post through Estio who specialise in apprenticeships in the IT Industry.  When I was in the Army, I trained in hardware so the MV opportunity on Service Desk gave me the chance to extend my skills into software.  I met with George and Chris (QA Tester) who told me all about MV and what it’s like to work here.  They explained what the future could look like for me and it felt like a great fit.

CH: Once I had decided that I wanted to get onto an apprenticeship scheme, I found the job advertised by MV which was focussed on software.  Like Harrison, my background was more hardware based so my intention was to progress in this area of interest. However, when I met with George and Jake (QA Tester) and they showed me the software, I realised that it was much more suited to me and felt I can really progress here.

What are you looking forward to?

 HA: At the moment I am just focussing on Online Banking support, so I am really looking forward to learning the other systems.  It will also be good to get into the testing side of things and start figuring out how to fix issues – that will give me a great deal of satisfaction.

CH: I am also just working on Online Banking which is good as I feel I can get a sound understanding of the solution.  I am really looking forward to being able to get into the systems for testing to see if I can break anything – and then fix it again of course!

Describe your first few weeks at MV  

HA: It’s been really interesting, and I have learnt a great deal in a short space of time.  It was a bit strange going into the office for training as no one was really there, but I got to meet my team and I enjoy working from home so it’s a good balance.

CH: Fun! The team have been really supportive and I have been getting into the office for a few days a week for training which has been good for me.  Before joining MV I had been placed on furlough, so I had been pretty bored but now I have lots to get stuck into, so I am really happy.

To get insight into how apprenticeships open opportunities at leadership level, read our Meet Uday post.