WHY TECHNOLOGY?
Verastar, Greater Manchester’s Business of the Year 2019, has built its growth on the effective development and deployment of technology-based change. With our in-house built systems and one bill solution offering, Verastar has a unique and dynamic approach that disrupts the markets we operate in.
We use our technology strategically to bring innovation, expand our capability to serve more customers, and strengthen efficiency. This allows Verastar to be a leading, next-generation essential services supplier that revolutionises the market.
WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES?
We are delighted to offer two routes for individuals to start a technology focused career, with opportunities for both recent graduates and current students to join our Manchester based team.
Both options offer a real variety of technical exposure to kick start your career giving you the tools for success.
These programmes are designed to deliver key technical and essential skills that will be invaluable to you in building your future career with Verastar.
We have roles available in three distinct teams and you’ll be asked to select one of these teams as a preference area during the recruitment stage, and, during your induction we will finalise this selection to ensure you are matched to the best team for your skills and experience. This team will then become your ‘home’ team for the duration of the programme allowing you to benefit from focused development whilst still gaining exposure to other Technology teams and the wider business.
Let’s see what teams are available to you:
Software Development
Work in an agile and proactive Software Development team. You’ll be part of a wide variety of enterprise applications and be involved in all stages of the software development life-cycle.
| Technical skills that will get you success in this team | Microsoft technologies such as .NET Framework/ Core, C# and web development technologies |
| Essential skills that will get you success in this team | Motivation, attention to details & time management |
| Types of key activity | Developing different software products for internal and customer users in tandem with business strategy, building microservices, mobile friendly web applications and API integration |
| Learning that you’ll take away from the team | You’ll be exposed to all aspects of software development techniques from design to product delivery, build strong knowledge of latest technologies and programming skills |
Quality Assurance
Review functional and non-functional requirements by raising issues, identifying unclear requirements, gaining practice in different testing techniques and approaches.
| Technical skills that will get you success in this team | Test Management Tools (e.g. TFS, MTM, JIRA), automated testing using TDD or BDD & CRM testing |
| Essential skills that will get you success in this team | Organisation, problem-solving & analytical skills |
| Types of key activity | Plan, estimate, build and execute test cases to verify the appropriate requirements within a given release |
| Learning that you’ll take away from the team | You’ll contribute in the assessment of process improvements, enhancing tools and testing techniques |
IT Operations
Support the team to facilitate the effective use of business applications within the business. You will assist in making SharePoint the platform of choice for internal processes, procedures, and knowledge bases.
| Technical skills that will get you success in this team | SharePoint Site Design, knowledge of integration / APIs & platform enhancement |
| Essential skills that will get you success in this team | Organisation, communication & content management |
| Types of key activity | Governing the SharePoint Information Architecture (IA) design, understanding business/user requirements) and advocating best practice |
| Learning that you’ll take away from the team | You’ll think strategically to improve overall user experience, quality and visibility by making information easier to find and access on SharePoint |
Throughout both technology opportunities you will also be set additional projects and assessed on a regular basis to ensure you are meeting your objectives successfully. We aim for it to be a challenging yet supported experience that fast-tracks your career with Verastar.
Please be aware that both routes come with a competitive salary offering, in addition to lots of additional benefits, please see below for a breakdown;
Technology Graduate Programme
• Starting salary £20,000
• After 6 months – £21,500
• After 12 months – £23,000
• On completion of 18 months – £25,000
Technology Placement
Alongside from gaining invaluable experience from taking part in the Technology Placement, you’ll receive a salary of £16,000.
Once you complete your 12-month placement with us, if successful, you will be offered a conditional permanent job offer enabling you to return, after you complete your studies with a guaranteed IT job.
• On return you will complete the final 6 months of the Technology Graduate Programme within your IT team.
• You will also benefit from up to 5 ‘End User’ Awareness Days to reconnect you to our business.
• You will also oversee a Business Project to align your role to the delivery of business projects.
SUPPORTED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
As well as the induction training you will benefit from when you first join the programme you will also receive the following;
Specialised Training – you’ll gain access to the latest technology, we offer further in-house technical and external CPD training to expand your technical abilities
Technical Buddy – you’ll be assigned a buddy to help you navigate the business and programme
‘End User’ Awareness Days – you’ll experience a day in the life of our key business teams to understand Verastar and the impact your technical role can have
Personal Development Meeting – you’ll have regular 1-2-1 meetings to discuss your progress, ways of maximising your development and set out personal objectives
Meet and Greets – you’ll be introduced to key senior stakeholders to understand their role, requirements and overall business strategy
Business Mentor – you’ll also be allocated a business mentor to help widen your business understanding
Additional Support – you’ll maximise the effectiveness of your development by having access to a ‘learning journal’ and a dedicated team SharePoint site to access key information relating to your programme
TAILORED CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Our technology opportunities are not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to developing your career. We look to work with you to decide on a ‘home’ team and role that suits your skills and experience. Depending which route you decide to take this is how we can start off your career:
Technology Graduate Programme – If successful, you’ll be joining in a full-time, permanent position, beginning with an 18-month structured programme.
Technology Placement – Thrive during your 12-month placement and we’d love to give a conditional offer to return to work with us after the completion of your studies to continue to build your career with us.
Technology Graduate Recruitment Process
Verastar aims to create a positive recruitment and selection experience for everyone involved.
Charity Work
Within Verastar we are committed to helping both our local and national charities in a variety of ways. Lots of our team enjoy helping in our challenges and fundraising events.
How we gave back in 2023!
We’re very proud of our Giving Back Movement here at Verastar. Our colleagues are passionate about giving back to the communities in which we live and work. In 2023, collectively, we’ve raised £5k for local charities in 2023 alone, which equals £10k in donations with our Matched Funding pledge. Many of our colleagues also took […]
Working Wardrobe partners with Verastar to boost opportunities
Colleagues from Verastar have donated dozens of formal outfits to Working Wardrobe – a service that provides tailored outfits and workwear for unemployed people across Greater Manchester who need to get ready for an interview or a job start.
Please click HERE if you wish to view our Applicant Privacy Policy.
