Learner Testimonial — Skills Bootcamps in Software Engineering: Matt

Thinking of going back to school? Skills Bootcamps can help, no matter how long has passed since you left mainstream education. Our recent graduate, Matthew Smith, told us about his experience doing just that.

After doing a BTEC Level 3 in Software Engineering in college, Matthew entered the working world in North-West England social housing. His Housing Officer role touched on IT, as he helped with everything to do with tech at the office. When that role ended, he decided to complete his studies and focus on tech for a full-time career.

“There were 16 years since I’d been in education…That’s a bit intimidating! Realistically, my options were going to college for one year and then to uni through an ‘Access to Higher Education’ programme in England. It’s equivalent to three A-levels; it’s for people who have been away from education. However, the cost and time meant I’d have missed this year, so I asked the university what to do.”

Matthew was invited to a pre-interview before submitting his application. With the qualification he’d done, he had enough UCAS points to go on the course, but he felt his knowledge was so out of date that he felt at a disadvantage. The university suggested a Skills Bootcamp in Digital. Explaining that they also offer Level 6 Apprenticeships with employers, they recommended bootcamps as a first step to prepare for an apprenticeship.

Based on his experience, the university recommended he do a Skills Bootcamp in Cyber Security or Software Engineering; “Building on what I’ve already studied, they thought it would give me sufficient knowledge and serve as a steppingstone to the university programme.”

So, Matthew researched local providers on the National Careers website. “Firebrand is local to me, in Manchester, an hour away;” Matthew looked at other providers too, but “none was as in-depth as Firebrand and I wouldn’t be able to get any certifications during the programme.”

For Skills Bootcamps in Software Engineering, Firebrand offers two pathways – Python and Java. Matthew was on the fence, and then Java filled. He doesn’t regret taking Python though – “The course gave me a base knowledge of programming that I can easily transition to other programming languages.”

“The bootcamp was very full-on from the start, a great way to go back to education! I’d been aware of IT certifications, actually ‘played around’ with Microsoft certifications, but never knew how to access them, so the fact that Firebrand offer them was definitely a bonus!”

As part of the bootcamp, Matthew took official certifications in Python, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), and Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204). Since the bootcamp, Matthew has done six free Microsoft Fundamentals certifications in his own time.

He recently started the degree he was aiming to do, a three-year Computer Science BSc at Preston University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). “I’ll do Computer Science for the first year, then specialise in something – for example, Software Engineering or Game Development. Afterwards, perhaps an MSc? This might change down the line though, given the rapid evolution of AI and VR gaming technologies!”

What did you think of the Skills Bootcamp?

“Fantastic, I really, really enjoyed it! A lot more compact than the ‘Access to Higher Education’ programme would have been; that programme focuses a lot on how to write assignments, which I don’t need. 

“The bootcamp gave me a schedule back in my life, things to work towards, as well as knowledge about building my CV and developing the mindset to use tools such as LinkedIn to expand my network. 

“Aside from that, it had been an awful long time since I’d been in education. I couldn’t remember a lot; the Skills Bootcamp jogged my memory in a lot of things I’d already forgotten. A lot of people in my cohort hadn’t been in education for a number of years – 15, 20+ even. I wasn’t the only one facing this!

“Most of what I’ve learned 16 years ago would have been built on Microsoft 2000 or XP – even the operating system has changed so much. This Skills Bootcamp helped me get up-to-date. I’d honestly love to do a second Skills Bootcamp – I have to wait six months to be eligible though!”

So, would Matthew recommend Skills Bootcamps?

“Definitely! The Skills Bootcamp got me back from the working mindset to a student mindset. It was an excellent step either into junior roles or higher education training. My Success Coach, Jade [Reynolds] was excellent, everyone I dealt with at Firebrand was excellent. They really encourage a supportive learning environment. Our trainers, we got so many anecdotes from them about working in the industry, they’ve been there 20+ years – what they don’t know about isn’t worth knowing. If you come out of the bootcamp without wanting to go into tech, something’s gone wrong!”

Thank you for your feedback, Matthew!