Frequently Asked Questions about FDM Academy

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Why is the training “free”?

You don’t have to pay anything for the training – it’s "free" provided you elect to use our deferred repayment option. Simply by working for FDM, on our client sites, for a minimum 2-year period you will not be charged for the training. After your 2-years employment with FDM, you’ve effectively "repaid" your fees to FDM for the training, AND you will have gained both certification and vital commercial experience.

 

What can I do at the end of my 2 years?

That’s up to you. Most "Mounties" remain working for FDM on a 3rd-year status with increased salary and greater responsibility. You may even qualify to become one of FDM’s highly exclusive Global Services Technical Consultants. Alternatively you can choose to become a Freelance Consultant - FDM will do their best to keep you busy working on customer projects and finally you may choose to take a permanent job within the IT industry. Much of this depends on your own personal situation.

 

How do I apply?

If you’re interested in applying for the Academy Programme, go to contact us and complete the Application Form, ensuring that you upload a copy of your CV. Your details will then be assessed and if you meet our criteria, you’ll receive an email with an online questionnaire. Providing your submitted response is in accordance with FDM’s Terms & Conditions, you will be invited to attend one of our Assessment & Interview Sessions. If you are successful at this stage, then the first module of training (SQL) will be made available to you at our DC and New York Training Centers. If you pass the assessment – congratulations - you’ll be offered a Training Agreement and attend our Academy in Brighton, (UK).

 

What is an Open Day?

The open day is a presentation FDM gives, but is also an assessment of your capabilities as an IT individual. FDM Group has a selective application process and only individuals that meet FDM’s criteria will be selected to participate in our Academy Program. Equally, you as an individual should assess the program and see if FDM Academy is the right fit for you.

 

When is your closing date for internships and graduate programs?

You’ll be glad to know that we recruit all year round!

 

Where will I train?

Work is done remotely, enabling you to study at your own pace. When you pass the SQL assessment and you move on to the specialist modules of your training: you will be expected to attend one of our training centres. All of FDM’s offices are fully equipped with state of the art facilities, flat screen PC’s, air-conditioning, along with support from our highly experienced trainers. We have office locations in central Brighton, London (City), Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Washington DC. The training runs from 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday – currently at the Brighton (UK) offices.

 

Are there opportunities for me to travel overseas?

We recruit for most positions within the US, and expect candidates to be prepared to work in the US for up to two years. However, we are an international company and opportunities for working abroad do arise. Your training will take place in Brighton, London or Manchester (UK).

 

Can I train from home?

Yes, you can train from home for the core modules – UNIX and SQL. When you reach the specialist stream - prior to certification, FDM requires all trainees to be based full-time at a training centre. It is important to realise that the sooner you are located in one of the training centre classrooms with the support of our Academy staff, the quicker you’ll complete the program.

 

How long will the training take?

That is entirely up to you! The Academy program is self-paced, so the more time you commit to the training - the quicker you’ll graduate. The specialist stream that you decide to undertake will also have an impact on the duration of the program. Due to the complexity of the development stream, it can take on average 6 months to complete (from the core modules through to certification and graduation). Our testing and finance streams can be completed in approximately 4 months. However, there are also many other elements which could increase or decrease the amount of time you spend training: in relation to the development stream, how much experience do you already have? If you are already proficient at programming – it is likely that you will complete that module in a shorter amount of time in comparison to someone who has not had any programming exposure. Another factor is how quickly you can be based full-time in Brighton. In our experience those trainees who can start at FDM’s offices whilst completing the core modules, finish the training significantly quicker than those who are remote for as long as possible.

 

What is the acceptance criteria?

The acceptance criteria is broken down in 4 steps:

1. You must be in possession of a valid passport

2. FDM will interview and technically assess each individual candidate to ensure they qualify for the Graduate Scheme or Internship.

3. Those candidates who impress during the interview and pass the technical assessment are guaranteed a place on the Graduate Scheme / Internship Program with paid accommodation and flights to the UK. By accepting either offer, you are agreeing to be employed for a further 2 years once the internship is complete. This will ensure you leave FDM (should you wish to after 2 years) technically trained and commercially experienced. Please note that there is no commitment until FDM presents an offer. Module for UNIX are open, but free to you to learn and gain experience.

4. Selected candidates are obliged to sign a contract stating that they will come to the UK for the training and join FDM Group for the 2 year employment contract once it is completed.

 

Does the FDM Group internship involve payment?

FDM Group will pay for the visa, the cost of your flights to the UK, and the accommodation required. All your training material, totalling over $20,000 will be covered by FDM - Invaluable training and priceless commercial experience can be yours for FREE.

 

Could I get a part-time job to have spending money while I am over in the UK?

Yes, there are plenty of part-time jobs in Brighton. Some companies may request a work permit (depending on your circumstances), but most student jobs don’t require one for part-time shifts. We often tell individuals that they must be able to fund themselves whilst they are still training.

 

Where would I live when I travel to Brighton (UK)?

You are likely to be accommodated with a host family. This has many advantages; you won’t be alone, you can learn more about the British culture and you may even get home cooked meals! FDM Group will try their best to place you within walking distance of the company and all Brighton has to offer.

 

What happens if I’ve graduated from the Academy Program and I don’t get placed?

FDM recruits trainees who have the ability and aptitude to complete the training program. We wouldn’t hire a candidate unless our sales team were fully confident that he/she will make the grade! FDM fully commits to those that pass the assessment and are offered a place on the Academy Programme, training them to a standard whereby you will achieve certification and gain commercial experience. In fact, FDM believes in the success of the Academy Program to the extent that if we have not placed you 90 days after you’ve graduated – you can walk away from FDM without any liability for the training costs – the 2 year Training Agreement will be void.

 

Where will I be working?

You could be placed anywhere in US or Europe, depending on where client sites are located. For all roles regardless of where you are based, we would ask that you be flexible and prepared to work away from home on a regular basis.

 

What will happen if I leave before the end of my 2 year commitment?

You will not have fulfilled your obligation to work for us for two years and FDM will invoice you for all the training you have received, which can be up to $20,000 (or equivalent).

 

Why are FDM Consultants called Mounties?

The "Mountie" name comes from the village of Mountfield, England where in 1984 the concept of airline training was brought to the IT sector. The idea of linking a training programme to employment already existed for pilots who needed high quality mentorship & experience to succeed. Through this same method FDM provides a unique opportunity to individuals seeking a career in IT. The name Mountie is given to our trainees who have graduated from FDM Academy in recognition of successful completion of this ground breaking & innovative training and employment programme.

 

What is it like working for FDM?

During your first two years you will complete an average of three assignments at our clients' offices. You will maintain regular contact with FDM although at some sites you may end up being treated as an employee of the client. Often you will be part of a team of external contractors, which can include other FDM "Mounties" as well. We will hold regular reviews and at 18 months we will discuss whether you wish to remain with FDM beyond your 2 years.

 

Who uses your training?

FDM has been helping people from all walks of life and backgrounds, from graduates with no experience to IT professionals with 10 to 15 years experience in older technologies, who are looking to retrain and learn new skills. Our training is designed to help you reach your goal quickly and effectively in your own time, using our proven and modern teaching methods. We want people to join FDM with a genuine and burning desire to work within the IT industry.

 

Are manuals and books provided?

Yes, all training material is funded by FDM. We also pay for all the exams you will take in order to gain your accreditations.

 

What books would you recommend?

If you wanted to prepare for the courses, we would suggest you read the following books: Head First Java, 2nd Edition; or the Complete Java 2 Certification Study Guide. For our .Net course - Visual C#.Net or Asp.Net and Ado.Net; if you are hoping to join the System Testing Program - why not buy Software Testing (ISBN 0672319837) or Testing Object-Orientated Systems (ISBN 0201809389)? And for the Finance Stream, we recommend - An Introduction to Global Financial Markets, by Stephen Valdez, Options, Futures and Other Derivatives, by John C. Hull, Derivatives Demystified: a step-by-step guide to Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options, by Andrew M. Chisholm.

 

Are your training courses approved or endorsed?

Our training courses have been approved by the Institute of IT Training (IITT) who have recognized that FDM has created a training environment where we can offer training, support and skills transfer in a friendly and professional manner. We are partners with Sun and Microsoft and we regularly review our training course content with our partners and candidates in mind.

 

What is the pass rate in the exams?

100% of our trainees pass the exams. We have set a new industry standard with the average pass mark for students taking the Sun Certification exam of 84% against a national average of 61%.

 

What if I don't pass the exams?

We will discuss what went wrong and help you pass with additional training and resource. We want you to succeed and will help you get through the exams, so don’t worry!

 

When can I start training?

The training will begin after the Assessment and Interview Session. Providing you have been successful at the interview stage, and our assessors have reviewed and accepted your application (after receiving your CV and on-line Application Form) then we will make the first part of the training programme available to you. Remember, at this stage there is still no commitment between either party.

 

What happens during the Assessment & Interview Sessions?

You will be interviewed by a member of our HR department as well as one of our Trainers, then you will be asked to undertake an aptitude test. You are under NO OBLIGATION to commit to join the Programme or sign any paperwork at these meetings - they are simply an Assessment Session, where you can ask questions and find out more about FDM Academy. You will get a chance to get to know us and we will get to know you – which is crucial during these early stages.

 

Who can join the Academy?

This is a training and career path that is available to both men and women. The level of IT exposure is not defined; however, we encourage applicants who have some basic knowledge of IT (an operating system, database or programming skill). We do not discriminate based on a candidate’s age and would consider retraining suitable candidates who have had a completely different career in the past.

 

I haven't taken an IT related degree, am I still able to apply?

Yes, we welcome candidates from all disciplines, but certainly some basic knowledge of IT is essential.

 

What’s is your diversity policy?

We recruit from a wide range of countries, religions, ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. As a global company we work hard to ensure that our hiring policy reflects our international presence.

 

Is there any age restriction?

Definitely not, we welcome applications from people of all ages.

 

I’m a complete novice, what background reading do you recommend?

We would suggest you buy a book on UNIX, study hard and then meet us or call us, before applying online.

 

What are the benefits and opportunities of the internship or graduate program?

You will be gaining technical expertise as well as valuable commercial experience. Within your two years of employment, your CV will develop – comprising of a list of blue-chip employers, enabling you to stand out from other IT consultants. Many interesting opportunities will arise both technically and commercially.