How Apprenticeships accelerate digital transformation for Boston Digital

It’s a well-known fact that apprentices progress in their careers quicker, but, even so, Boston Digital’s all-star IT apprentice, Cameron Fuller has taken this advantage to a whole new level.

“Cameron was determined from the outset to complete his Apprenticeship as quickly as regulations allow,” says Venessa Cox, the Firebrand Learning Mentor who has been supporting Cameron during his Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship at software house, Boston Digital. “When I told him he’d be able to complete in mid-September, he corrected me with the exact date!”

Cameron saw straight away that only an Apprenticeship could give him the experience that employers are looking for.

“When I was at sixth form looking at university options, it just didn’t seem like the right route – you come out with lots of debt and not much experience. I know people who have left uni and are working in bakeries because they’ve got no experience, so no-one would hire them.”

Reaping the benefits of working for a smaller business

While many candidates would aim for household names, Cameron was keen to do the opposite. 

“I thought a smaller company would have more time to teach you, whereas in a big company you’d be thrown to the side. Also, with a small company, it feels like you’re making more of a difference with the work you do.”

Since joining Boston Digital in July 2017, Cameron has definitely shown this to be true. His contribution to the company’s build projects – including leading the development of a cashback app and developing extensions and AI tools for a car management service – has been outstanding.

Jarek Bielicki, Cameron’s mentor at Boston Digital, says that “Cameron has made significant progress since joining Boston Digital. He brings passion and energy to every project he works on and is a real asset to the company.”

At Firebrand, Venessa has been extremely impressed by Cameron’s motivation. “His current projects could potentially be sold by the company to make money. He’s driving these projects and there’s not a lot of mentoring that needs to go on.”

Accelerating a career with Apprenticeships

So what, in Cameron’s view, has been the best thing about his Apprenticeship? “Seeing the progression from how you were when you started. Working on the job, you’re gaining skills constantly – you look at how far you’ve come and what you can do now.”

Firebrand's intensive courses embedded into the programme have helped Cameron's progress too. “Every course I’ve been on, the instructors have helped me. It can be a bit intense, but it works pretty well – I passed a Microsoft exam in four days!"

Stronger together

Cameron’s faith in Boston Digital’s ability to support him, as a smaller organisation, has been fully justified.

“You definitely learn more in a small company – it feels like you have a bigger role, whereas in a big company you’d do one thing and they’d just keep you doing that one thing.”

Has everyone in the company helped him learn?

“Massively! Working with a small group of people, you get to know everyone. You become more like friends than colleagues.”

Cameron's in-work mentor, Jarek, explains that apprentices are integral to the company’s future plans. “We currently have three apprentices at Boston Digital, all of whom play an important role. Apprentices are keen to learn, can bring fresh ideas and creative energy to the company and will form a key part of our long-term recruitment strategy.” 

Venessa is confident that Cameron is set for a stratospheric career. “He’s a delightful person to be around – an extremely gifted bright shining star. I think we’ll see brilliant things from him in the future.” 

Well done, Cameron!