Computing students secure apprenticeship with Barclays
Five computing students from the Kilwinning Campus at Ayrshire College have earned a place on the much coveted Barclays Apprenticeship Programme in Glasgow.
The apprenticeship helps people gain a university level qualification, while at the same time, building a professional career at Barclays, one of the largest banks in the UK, operating in over 40 countries and employing around 120,000 people.
Competition is strong for one of the apprenticeship places, with applicants from all over the UK. The four-year apprenticeship ensures that as well as working for Barclays, the students will be studying BSc Honours degree at Glasgow University from Autumn.
The students worked in partnership with Barclays during a ‘Team Working’ unit, where Barclay’s Project Managers acted as the client for the students. The task involved building a computer game that could be used as an icebreaker for global teams who couldn’t meet face to face.
Gaming student Jordan Scott was one of the first students to present a game at Barclays. About his experience, Jordan said “I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to go for. It was my ambition to get a software development degree and be able to work at the same time, so when I got offered the apprenticeship, I was over the moon. Everything I have worked for at college has finally become a reality!”
Lynsey O’Connor, Business and Computing Lecturer said “The Barclays team were so impressed with what our students had built that they started actively looking for ways to strengthen links between them and the Computing department at Ayrshire College.
“We also worked closely with Glasgow University, who provide the degree element of this apprenticeship, to help them understand the details of our HNC and HND programmes, assuring them that the students were equally qualified.
“It’s a fantastic outcome that the students have this opportunity of the apprenticeship programme, and I’m delighted for them.”
Darren Halcrow, Technology Project Manager for Barclays said “Working with the Gaming students during the ‘Team working’ unit was a great pleasure for me. It showcased the talents within the College and sparked a wider conversation to strengthen the connection between Ayrshire College and Barclays.
"The Building Thriving Local Economies project within Kilmarnock has given Barclays the opportunity to really focus on attracting local talent and with the first year of intake from Ayrshire College being a success, we have the platform to increase intake numbers for 2021.
"I would encourage students to seek guidance from Ayrshire College on the options they have available moving into 2021. Well done to those who were successful in the Barclays Graduate Apprentice Scheme.”
Applications for Computing courses are open. For more information and to apply please visit computing courses
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