Laying the foundations: early careers done differently

Our graduate schemes, apprenticeships, and placements are designed to do more than just give people a way in. They build real foundations – helping individuals grow into meaningful roles, with many going on to become mentors and leaders themselves.

As developer Shoaib Rafiq shared:

“University taught me how to code. Propel Tech taught me how to collaborate, problem-solve, and grow.”

That blend of technical experience and human skills is what sets careers in motion – and keeps them moving forward.

Mentorship

Research from the Association for Talent Development shows that 75% of executives credit mentoring as a key factor in their career growth. We see that impact every day.

Team leader Ben Hopper puts it simply:

“Mentoring is about bringing the next generation of developers on a fulfilling learning journey.”

For graduate developer Arjun Krishnan, it’s about confidence and perspective:

“It helps me identify areas for improvement, view challenges from a fresh perspective, and uplift each other professionally and personally.”

Mentorship isn’t a box-tick for us – it’s a culture-builder. It creates space for shared learning, guidance, and lasting progress.

Opportunity in a hybrid world

Hybrid working has reshaped how people connect, learn, and share knowledge. Gone are the days of casual desk-side coaching – but that doesn’t mean opportunity has to be limited.

We’ve embraced virtual tools and intentional in-person sessions to keep learning alive:

• Real-time shadowing and pairing
  
  
• Remote screen sharing and live coding
  
  
• One-to-ones and structured check-ins
  
  

Our HR Manager, Hannah Starkey, Chartered MCIPD, adds:

“Creating opportunities isn’t just about hiring – it’s about building around people once they’re here. That includes training, mentoring, flexibility, and making sure hybrid working doesn’t leave early careers team members out of important conversations.”

Hannah Starkey, HR Manager

Continuous learning as culture

Opportunity doesn’t end once you reach seniority. At Propel Tech, we embed development into everyday work. Every team member is encouraged to dedicate 10% of their time to learning and development, with training budgets and resources to support growth.

Take Senior Developer Scotty Robson: he recently achieved the AWS Certified Developer – Associate qualification. For Scotty, it was a milestone in deepening his expertise – and for our clients, it’s another layer of value.

Scotty explains: 

“I’ve always had a keen interest in AWS and use their services daily. I’d completed a foundational accreditation as an apprentice, but I wanted to renew and take it further.”

Senior Developer Scotty Robson

No single route into tech

Tech is one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors. According to Tech Nation, the digital economy employs over 6.4 million people – almost 1 in 5 UK workers – and demand for new skills is only increasing as we move toward 2030.

That’s why we believe in multiple entry points: degrees, apprenticeships, placements. Each offers unique strengths, and together they help diversify talent pipelines. For businesses, the opportunity is clear – if we don’t invest in developing and retaining talent, the sector will struggle to keep pace.

Amandeep’s journey

Sometimes, creating opportunity means adapting roles to fit people’s ambitions. Amandeep Kaur joined Propel Tech as a Test Analyst but had a strong interest in project management. Instead of keeping her boxed into her starting role, we reshaped her career path.

Three years on, she’s thriving as a Project Manager – leading major projects and building client trust with confidence. Her story is proof that when businesses listen and act, opportunity becomes transformational.

Amandeep Kaur, Senior Project Manager

That’s why we’ll keep investing in people at every stage of their careers, because when individuals thrive, our teams and clients thrive too.

Discover more about opportunities at Propel Tech