Software engineering apprentices-bridging the skills gap

Because of problems in recruiting and retaining good graduate software engineers, Marconi Software Systems has started an apprenticeship scheme. In the first two years, apprentices attend de Havilland college at Borehamwood on a day release course leading to an HNC in software engineering. Apprentices then attend, again on day release, Hatfield Polytechnic. Although the apprenticeship itself finishes one year after the HNC, the students are supported for two years at Hatfield, leading to a DipHE (software engineering). The first year of the apprenticeship is devoted to basic training and is intended to enable apprentices to acquire general engineering skills as well as electronics and software skills. The second and third years involve in-company placements, each with clearly defined objectives, in several departments. These placements cover projects, quality assurance, commercial, and other departments