FDM Group: Powering a Diverse Tech Workforce Around the Globe

Founded in 1991, FDM Group has grown into a leading IT services provider with a truly global footprint. Headquartered in London, the company now spans 6 continents with over 6,000 employees representing more than 100 nationalities. But beyond its worldwide presence, what really sets FDM apart is an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion that is ingrained in every aspect of the company.

At the heart of these efforts is the FDM Career Development Program. This innovative initiative provides intensive training to high-potential candidates from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with the technical and professional skills to launch successful careers in IT and business. To date, the program has kickstarted the careers of more than 7,000 FDM consultants worldwide.

Partnering with Top Tech Educators to Source Diverse Talent

To fuel its talent pipeline, FDM has forged strategic partnerships with leading tech education providers including coding bootcamps and universities. A prime example is the company‘s collaboration with Programming School, one of the longest-running and most well-respected coding bootcamps.

Since 2017, FDM has hired over 150 Programming School graduates, many of whom entered the tech field through Flatiron‘s Access Scholarship programs aimed at underrepresented groups in tech. These include the John Stanley Ford Fellowship for aspiring Black tech professionals and the Edie Windsor Coding Scholarship for LGBTQ+ students.

"We view bootcamps like Programming School as crucial partners in expanding the tech talent pool and making the industry more representative of society as a whole," said Carl Blundell, Global Early Careers Manager at FDM Group. "The practical, job-ready skills that Flatiron students gain, combined with the grit and drive common among career-changers, make them an excellent fit for our Career Development Program and the professional environments they‘ll face as FDM consultants."

Recruiting from bootcamps and other nontraditional sources allows FDM to tap into talent pools that are often overlooked by employers that focus mainly on computer science graduates. It‘s a practice that yields major benefits for both individual careers and business results. A 2022 McKinsey report found that "across occupations, candidates with nontraditional educational backgrounds are 15% more likely than their traditional counterparts to be hired for the same job" but "outperform their counterparts by 2 percent–indicating there is a potential talent benefit that companies are missing out on by not hiring based on skills." [1]

Comprehensive Training Primes "FDMers" for Success

Once accepted into the FDM Career Development Program, trainees complete an immersive 6-14 week training course in one of the following specializations:

• Software Development
• Business Intelligence
• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Tech Operations
• Business Analysis

The Software Development track, which accounts for over half of program participants, provides comprehensive full stack training. Trainees learn front-end languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and React, as well as back-end tech stacks including Python, Java, SQL and agile methodologies. This broad-based skill set allows FDM developers to easily integrate with and contribute to client teams.

Across all tracks, training combines instructor-led classroom sessions, hands-on projects, professional development workshops, and mentorship to ensure trainees are thoroughly prepared to meet real-world business needs. Upon successful completion, trainees become FDM consultants and work on-site with prestigious client firms for at least two years before having the option to transition to a permanent role with FDM or the client company.

This "hire-train-deploy" model benefits both trainees and clients. Trainees gain valuable work experience, ongoing training and mentorship, and a competitive salary and benefits from day one. Meanwhile, clients can efficiently integrate skilled, adaptable, and diverse talent into their workforce through FDM‘s services. To date, FDM has partnered with over 200 high-profile clients including HSBC, Virgin Media, the UK Department for Work and Pensions, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

"Our partnership with FDM has been vital to achieving our diversity, equity and inclusion goals," noted Sarah Thompson, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Deutsche Bank, an FDM client since 2002. "The individuals who come to us through the FDM program bring fresh perspectives, drive and enthusiasm that make our teams and our offerings stronger. It‘s been a game-changer."

FDMers Reflect the World They Serve

FDM‘s global consultant base is notably diverse, even by tech industry standards:

• Women represent 38% of the FDM consultant workforce, over 2X the UK and US tech industry average.
• Over 25% of FDM‘s U.S. consultants belong to ethnic minority groups.
• 42% of the 2023 consultant class come from a "non-vocational" educational background.
• Military veterans, career changers from other fields, people aged over 50, and other underrepresented groups are well-represented among FDM consultants.

But the diversity goes beyond demographics alone. FDMers bring an impressive array of educational backgrounds, professional experiences, and perspectives that enrich client projects and mirror the makeup of the populations they ultimately serve through technology.

"Our consultants‘ diverse identities, skill sets and ways of thinking are among our greatest assets as a company," noted Sheila Flavell, FDM‘s Chief Operating Officer. "Having FDMers from all walks of life collaborating together drives innovation, challenges outdated ways of doing things, and helps our clients deliver products and services that meet the needs of their own diverse customer bases."

The numbers back this up. Recent studies have shown that companies in the top quartile for racial, ethnic and gender diversity are 25-36% more likely to have above-average profitability than less diverse firms. [2] Diversity is especially impactful for innovation and agility. According to BCG research, companies with above-average diversity produced a greater proportion of revenue from new products and services: 45% compared to just 26% for companies with below-average diversity. [3]

As a full stack developer, I‘ve seen firsthand how the disparate backgrounds and viewpoints on diverse development teams spark creativity. Working alongside colleagues who approach problems differently than I do, based on their own unique skills and experiences, pushes me to question my assumptions and consider new possibilities. Our products are stronger because they‘ve been examined through many different lenses.

FDMers on the Move: Two Trailblazers Tell Their Stories

Veteran-turned-Software Developer: Tim Johnson had a distinguished 10-year career in the British Army before making the leap into tech through FDM. "The technical skills, work ethic, and adaptability I honed in the military transferred nicely into the FDM program and set me up for success as a software developer," Tim shared. Since joining FDM in 2021, Tim has rotated through software engineering roles at Virgin Atlantic and LV=.

In his current placement at LV=, Tim works on the full stack of an internal claims management system. "I‘m really enjoying digging into both the front-end UI in React and the complex Java backend," he noted. "The broad foundation I gained through FDM allows me to contribute across the stack." Once his two-year FDM tenure wraps up, Tim plans to stay on with LV= as a Senior Java Developer.

From Sales Rep to Cybersecurity Analyst: Jennifer Kim worked in retail sales for 5 years after graduating with an English degree. Seeking a more challenging and future-proof career path, she enrolled in Programming School‘s Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp. Shortly after graduating, Jennifer was recruited into the FDM Career Development Program.

"FDM has given me incredible training, support, and exposure to the cybersecurity field," said Jennifer. She recently began her first placement as an Information Security Analyst with Allianz, monitoring and responding to security events to protect the company from cyber threats. Her long-term goal is to become a Chief Information Security Officer.

A Global Impact

Tim and Jennifer‘s stories are just two examples of the thousands of diverse professionals whose careers have taken off through FDM. Across the company‘s global network of 11 training sites, initiatives are underway to actively recruit and empower underrepresented talent:

• At FDM‘s Wall Street center in New York City, partnerships with local colleges, bootcamps and nonprofits have helped build a consultant base that is majority Black and Latinx.
• In Sydney, collaborate with the Diversity Council of Australia, FDM increased female participation in its technical programs by 233% from 2015 to 2022.
• FDM‘s Hong Kong team has been recognized as an "Employer of Choice" by the Labor and Welfare Bureau for fostering an inclusive, family-friendly workplace.
• Over 15% of the 2023 consultant class in Frankfurt came through FDM‘s "Getting Back to Business" program for people returning to the workforce after a career break.

These localized efforts roll up to a global mission to bring more diversity to both the FDM workforce and the clients it supports. Importantly, representation goes beyond entry-level roles to include FDM‘s leadership team:

• Women make up 50% of FDM‘s board and one-third of senior management.
• People of color represent majorities of FDM‘s management teams in APAC and North America.
• Nearly 60% of the global senior leadership team are from non-technical academic backgrounds, providing relatable role models for FDM trainees.

Seeing people who look like them thriving at all levels of the organization inspires FDM trainees to dream big and provides a roadmap for advancement. But the company isn‘t content to rest on its laurels. FDM has committed to reaching 50% female and 30% ethnic minority representation across its entire workforce by 2030.

Be Part of Something Bigger with FDM

As FDM‘s growth and Jennifer and Tim‘s stories show, the company is providing pathways for talented individuals from all backgrounds to build lasting careers in technology. Extensive training, hands-on experience with top employers, and a vibrant community of diverse professionals…FDM offers it all under one roof.

Ready to launch a dynamic tech career in a company that celebrates you for who you are? Apply to the FDM Career Development Program today.

But FDM is just one part of an industry-wide movement to change the face of technology. From education to hiring to advancement and inclusion, every stakeholder has a role to play in building a tech workforce–and with it, tech products and services–that reflect our diverse world.

So whether you‘re an aspiring technologist, an educator, a hiring manager or a CEO, I challenge you to examine how you can personally contribute to a more diverse and equitable tech ecosystem. Mentor an up-and-coming professional who doesn‘t share your background. Invest in education and training programs that expand access to tech skills. Implement inclusive hiring and promotion practices. Cultivate a culture where everyone‘s unique talents and perspectives are valued. Together, we can create a tech industry that works for all.

References

[1] McKinsey Global Institute. "The Skills Mismatch: Untapped Potential or Unrealistic Expectations?" 2022.
[2] McKinsey & Company. "Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters." 2020.
[3] Boston Consulting Group. "How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation." 2018.