IT services provider FDM is bucking the trend and recruiting 500 graduates in 2010 for its consultancy training programme.
Successful graduates will spend at least two years with FDM, earning up to £60,000 if they stay with the company for four years. The training scheme pays £21,000-£23,000, progressing to £24,000-£27,000 in the second year.
FDM says many of its past trainees have gone on to work as IT consultants for companies such as HSBC, BSkyB, Detica and Credit Suisse.
The company currently has 983 consultants and wants 500 more, up from its graduate intake last year of 245. It says it is now the biggest IT graduate employer in the UK.
The "master class programme" bridges the gap between graduation and employment, combining training with commercial experience. The company specialises in project management, application support, development, testing, infrastructure and training.
Rod Flavell, chief executive officer, said, "FDM experienced a year of growth and achievement in 2009, acquiring more than 20 new clients, six prestigious awards and 245 trainees. This set us in good stead for 2010, which is proving to be another record year."
