FDM Group

With the benefit of hindsight I would not have joined - Java Developer FDM Group Employee Review

1.0

6 Jul 2017

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

An introduction to a working type environment for recent graduates and a reintroduction to civvy st for ex forces staff. A real sense of camaraderie with fellow trainees. I made some good friends in the academy that I will keep in touch with. Good interview training. Initial training is of high quality (Common weeks Pro skills, SQL, Excel) though it is very much over valued by FDM. So much so that I felt after these weeks I knew the subjects well enough to instruct them myself Could be a good introduction to IT for non stem grads but if you aren't enjoying it by the end of week 2 leave. A corporate subscription to pluralsight for upskilling

Cons

A very poor (possibly unenforceable) contract that hangs over you for 2 years. I don't believe that FDM fulfilled the terms of its training agreement with me and had they attempted to recoup their overvalued "investment" I would have fought them in court and according to my solicitor I would have won, my advice to any prospective hire is that they note every interaction with HR and management in any way and if called into a meeting ask for minutes to be taken and a witness to sit in. The sense of camaraderie is driven by a sense of us vs them in the way there would be camaraderie amongst prisoners vs their guards No money Little to no communication with the account managers who are supposed to be finding consultants roles. After the initial well structured training the development training is not of the same calibre and to be honest a Udemy or pluralsight course would teach you just as much. No certification for the development courses. Though there is for some of the other streams.

FDM Group Response

I’m glad you enjoyed the initial training and the people you met at FDM. I’m sorry that you wouldn’t recommend joining us though. We appreciate that the programme may not suit everyone, which is why we spend time upfront going through the model and all the terms and conditions, during the assessment process. We present the whole programme including the two-year bond which is a commitment by FDM and you. There is a 2 week ‘cooling off’ period after starting for you to really work out if FDM is the right career move for you. The training is fully funded by FDM and, like any business, FDM needs to realise a return, this is why the two-year bond is in place – allowing the fees to be paid back only on the rare occasion that the contract isn’t fulfilled. However, the vast majority of FDM consultants do progress to enjoy successful and rewarding careers. I’m really sorry that it didn’t work out for you though. We always encourage people to post an honest review on Glassdoor in regards to their experience – which may be positive or negative (we do not ask anyone to change ratings). I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your feedback further if you’re up for it. Please feel free to email me directly, my email address is andy.brown@fdmgroup.com Andy Brown – Group Commercial Director

With the benefit of hindsight I would not have joined - Java Developer FDM Group Employee Review

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