Talented Stephanie breaks down barriers to a tech career after landing Graduate Apprenticeship
Graduate Apprentice Stephanie Burgoyne helped support 400,000 people on low incomes access winter heating with payments over £20 million.
The 19-year-old fast tracked her path to success when she applied for a Graduate Apprenticeship in IT: Management for Business – despite having no prior experience or qualifications related to working in science or technology.
An Assistant Release & Configuration Manager at the tech giant, Steph is responsible for supporting the smooth running of one of its social security accounts.
She manages three other associate release managers and coordinates key deliverables across 20 global teams of more than 200 people, all while studying one day a week at Edinburgh Napier University.
Steph, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, said: “The Graduate Apprenticeship gives me opportunities to lead initiatives based on my own creativity.
“The tech industry is fast moving, so having hands-on experience means you are right up to date with everything and you are building networks too.
“When I finish my Graduate Apprenticeship I will have four years’ experience in industry and no debts because I have been earning while I learn, so it gives you a really good head start in your career.”
Steph left Larbert High School in fifth year, with Highers in Drama, Modern Studies, English and Health and Food Technology (HFT) and has really applied herself to developing her IT skills.
Since joining IBM two years ago, she has logged over 500 hours of learning and achieved nine digital credentials.
This helped her manage releases more efficiently, halve preparation times and lead the introduction of automation processes – reducing costs and allowing the teams to focus on development and testing.
Less than six months into her apprenticeship she successfully managed the release for the Scottish Winter Heating Benefit Payment, affecting 400,000 people on low incomes and resulting in payments over £20 million – a huge responsibility.
Her latest project saw her lead five teams to improve code quality, resulting in a 25% improvement in tracking how software performed after new updates were made to it.
Steph is a proactive ambassador, leading IBM’s contributions to Scottish Apprenticeship Week for the last two years at live stream events and in person workshops, resulting in 30 applications.
She aims to expand her knowledge of AI and Cloud and become a senior leader at IBM. Her drive to succeed has led to her being a finalist in the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to a Master’s degree level while in paid employment.
Designed by education and employers, Graduate Apprenticeships are made for business to support key sectors that need highly skilled employees.
IBM Foundation Manager – Recruitment, Software Test Pathway & Degree Apprentice Lead Charlotte Fisher-Morecroft said: “Steph really is exceptional – she has delivered amazing results and inspires others to do the same.
“Apprentices were introduced to address the digital skills gap; they bring fresh talent into the business and invigorate it.
“Graduate Apprentices apply their learning as they go and by the time they graduate they already have four years’ business and technology experience.”
Edinburgh Napier University Graduate Apprenticeship Delivery Manager Scott Killen said: “Steph is very dedicated to the programme and the ambassadorial role she has taken on to promote apprenticeships is very impressive.
“One of the biggest benefits of Graduate Apprenticeships to business is the ability to bridge skills gaps, particularly in STEM subjects.”
The winner of the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot.