Skills Bootcamps employer testimonial — Ten10

Ever since we started offering Skills Bootcamps in Digital two years ago, we’ve been working with multiple companies to enhance their recruitment with our qualified candidates. Skills Bootcamps are funded by the UK Government as part of the Skills for Life Scheme that aims to reduce the digital skills gap.

We recently caught up with one of our long-term partners, Ten10, to see how they’re finding the process.

Ten10 are one of the leading independent consultancies for Tech Talent, Quality Engineering, Software Testing, and Automation. Their name is derived from the motorsport expression of driving at ten-tenths—or 10/10ths—where drivers optimise their technique to extract the maximum performance from the car.

Or, in this case, kick-starting tech careers in the most efficient way possible!

Ten10 Talent Partner, Rebecca Olley spoke to us about her experience working with Skills Bootcamp learners. 

Rebecca joined Ten10 in June 2021, around the same time that Firebrand Business Development Manager, Charlie Luff formed a Skills Bootcamp partnership with the company. It was her first experience working with Skills Bootcamps. Ever since then, our learners have explored employment opportunities through Ten10’s Academy and Ten10 has filled vacancies with our diverse talent pool.

“Hosting Skills Bootcamps in partnership with Firebrand was a really nice way to have a steady stream of candidates. We do so many intakes, so it’s nice to have that extra pool to source from!”

Why has this worked so well? The answer is in the commitment of our learners.

”Aside from the obvious time-saving element we experience working with Skills Bootcamps, the candidates are clearly interested in tech. They’ve gone looking for that opportunity.

”A lot of our applicants tend to be university graduates who are still searching for their career path—they want ‘a little bit of everything.’ In Bootcamp learners, there’s definitely more of an investment”—and this has had a direct impact on Ten10’s recruitment process.

“Skills Bootcamps candidates are a lot more aware of the work and roles that are involved in a tech career, which helps us from an engagement perspective and understanding exactly what we offer.”

Plus, when it comes to working with Ten10’s Academy, Firebrand learners are just as committed to the recruitment process as any other applicant and succeed at a similar level in terms of placement outcomes.

This speaks volumes to the learning, certifications, and confidence of Skills Bootcamps learners as they continue to break barriers with their 12 weeks of learning, as opposed to multiple years from a university degree.

As a result, due to the positive impact Firebrand Skills Bootcamps have had on the business, Ten10 are now working with other providers.

Would Rebecca recommend Skills Bootcamps to other businesses?

“Definitely—it’s a very useful way to engage with candidates that I don’t think we’d have come across through our more traditional channels.

“Skills Bootcamps candidates come with the understanding and enthusiasm, and this investment in the roles and a career in tech helps ease the recruitment process.”

Thank you for your feedback, Rebecca!

Watch this space for more updates on our work with Ten10.