EyUp launches new recruitment drive with tech job guarantee for course graduates

EyUp, the new Yorkshire tech skills academy backed by data activation platform company WANdisco plc, is offering a guarantee to its graduates – a tech job within six months or their money back.

Founded by technology entrepreneur David Richards MBE, EyUp teaches people the most in-demand methods used in software development today. It has partnered with leading provider iO Academy to deliver the award-winning coding course in Sheffield. The 16-week programme equips students with all they need to know to get their first job as a software developer and has been ranked among the best coding bootcamps in the world.

EyUp is recruiting for its second cohort via www.eyup.com to start in March. Eight places are available, including two places funded by a bursary scheme for people from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are under-represented in the tech sector. EyUp is offering the money-back pledge to any graduates who complete the course and fail to land a tech job within six months.

The first cohort of seven students graduated in mid-December and two have already secured full-time jobs. Jess Hamby and Jake Rooms won coveted junior developer roles at WANdisco, working on world-leading software that helps farmers plough fields, healthcare companies predict diseases and astronomers find new exoplanets.

Jess, a chemistry graduate from Barnsley, said: “I loved the course! It was super-interesting. Our trainer was very helpful and knowledgeable and I thought the mix between theory and projects was great because we were always implementing what we were learning along the way, which solidified our understanding.

“Whatever your education or work background, if you are interested in pursuing a career in technology I would say go for it with EyUp. It’s a great introduction to tech and you get lots of support while you are doing the course and afterwards. There is lots of interesting technology out there but finding the right company can be hard. WANdisco has the friendly culture and lovely people I was hoping for.”

Jake, a maths graduate from Sheffield, said: “Initially, I was sceptical. I looked at the full-stack coding course and thought how do they get all that information into 16 weeks? I gave it a shot because I thought I could pay back the course fees once I got a job. As we got into it, I learned a lot that I couldn’t have learned myself like frameworks and best practice.

“I enjoy maths, logic, numbers and anything in which I can manipulate data. It scratched that itch for me. What I really like about my new job is that everyone is happy to help you, which is great. I can talk to my managers easily, the company is not very hierarchical and everyone is there to collaborate.”

There are plenty of good opportunities for EyUp graduates. Latest data from Tech Nation shows digital tech roles accounted for nearly a quarter of advertised job vacancies in Sheffield last year – 5,591 in a total of 24,501. A software developer could expect to earn £40,000 per year and a Java developer £52,500, according to Tech Nation’s analysis.

David Richards MBE, founder, CEO and chairman of WANdisco plc, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our first cohort of EyUp graduates. They have a broad range of backgrounds including unemployment, bartending, construction and the police service, which proves that tech talent really is everywhere. They now have the potential to become great software developers and we are really proud of them.

“We are looking forward to recruiting our next cohort and helping more people to fulfil their potential and enjoy rewarding careers. We passionately believe skills development is key to economic regeneration and we are delighted to be playing our part, starting in South Yorkshire. In the highly unlikely event that an EyUp graduate has not received a tech job within six months of graduating, we will happily refund the cost of the course.”

All applicants are evaluated on aptitude rather than experience as part of the assessment process. Course fees can be paid up front or with an interest-free deferred payment arranged through EdAid. EyUp offers classroom-based learning at Castle House, the open-plan office of WANdisco plc.

For more information, please visit www.eyup.com