IT apprenticeships at UMB: How young talents become skilled professionals
Demand for IT specialists is high – and the foundations are often laid during an apprenticeship. In the UMB IT Expert Talk, two young talents who have recently completed their apprenticeships, along with their training supervisor, explain how the IT training programme at UMB is structured, what matters when applying, and what career paths are open after completing an apprenticeship. UMB has been recognised by GreatStart! as an outstanding training provider.
This is an automatic transcript of our podcast. You’ll find the link to the podcast at the very bottom.
With around 900 employees, UMB is one of Switzerland’s larger IT service providers – and makes a point of training its specialists in-house. The apprenticeship programme follows a clear structure: during the foundation year, apprentices first acquire basic technical knowledge before moving on to specialised teams. Because UMB is a broadly-based service provider, the ‘Young Talents’ – as the apprentices are known at UMB – cover a wide range of topics and develop their skills specifically in the areas that interest them most.
What characterises the training programme is the large, young team. Apprentices are not isolated individuals amongst adults, but learn alongside many peers. A joint national camp brings together apprentices from all years of the programme – including activities deliberately away from the computer. It is precisely this team spirit that runs through the entire training programme.
A gentle start: Welcome Week
The start of the apprenticeship at UMB is deliberately structured. During Welcome Week, new apprentices first get used to this new phase of their lives – the first day doesn’t begin early in the morning, but is deliberately relaxed. The most important basics are covered first, followed in the first two weeks by sessions on key tools: setting up a laptop, managing a calendar, and working with Microsoft Teams. Apprentices are already on site a week before the start of the programme to get used to the team and the day-to-day work routine. A joint meeting of all apprentices – including those in their later years of training – ensures that everyone gets to know one another right from the start. The feeling of truly being part of the team usually sets in once they have completed their first tasks independently.
Motivation counts for more than school grades
When selecting apprentices, UMB places greater emphasis on motivation and interest than on school grades alone. The reasoning behind this is that those who are passionate about technology will also demonstrate the necessary commitment – and develop accordingly over the four years of their apprenticeship. Personality and the ability to work in a team are also crucial, as at UMB, work is carried out as a team, not as lone wolves. Several factors count in the application process: the letter of motivation or an application video, the impression made on the taster day, and the school report – with social and work behaviour also being taken into account. Some applicants stand out with creative formats, ranging from videos to their own websites. Ultimately, good apprentices are characterised by the fact that they approach others openly and ask questions, rather than simply rushing to complete tasks.
Step by step towards greater responsibility
Responsibility grows with each year of the apprenticeship. In the first year, the focus is on building up basic knowledge, with little customer contact as yet. After that, apprentices take on active responsibility at the service desk – the first point of contact for customer enquiries. Within the specialist teams, they are given their own tasks and projects, eventually progressing to independent project management. For many, their first customer assignment is an exciting moment; thorough preparation by the practical trainers provides confidence. For most, the most intensive part of the training is the IPA – the Individual Practical Assignment, which serves as the practical final project.
Three myths about IT careers put to the test
There are some persistent assumptions surrounding IT careers. The first myth: IT specialists just sit in front of a screen. In practice, this depends heavily on the role – many positions combine screen-based work with client contact and variety. The second myth concerns mathematics: in day-to-day work, logical thinking is required rather than traditional arithmetic; the maths component is, however, more prominent in the vocational baccalaureate (BMS).
After the apprenticeship: a permanent role rather than leaving
UMB deliberately trains staff for its own future and endeavours to offer apprentices a permanent role upon completion of their training – ideally within their preferred team. Further education is actively supported: those who go on to complete their vocational baccalaureate or embark on a degree course can remain connected to UMB through flexible part-time arrangements. An example from the podcast: one graduate remains on board on a 20 per cent workload whilst completing her BMS. An early contract provides security – and keeps young professionals on their toes, precisely because IT is developing so rapidly. Why do these young talents stay? Mainly because of the team and because the work is enjoyable.
Career paths: from the service desk to project management
After the apprenticeship, many paths are open. Some follow the traditional route to becoming a systems engineer, whilst others specialise in the security field – for example, as a security engineer in the platform team or in cyber security engineering with a focus on project management. It is also possible to move into related areas such as licence management or sales, as well as progressing into leadership roles or even becoming a practical trainer. Advice from alumni to prospective apprentices: bring motivation, authenticity and curiosity – and enjoy your apprenticeship, because it goes by quickly.
Listen to the full podcast in german:A career path at UMB: from apprentice to experienced systems engineer.
