Returners to Work

Life at FDM

Our Getting Back to Business Programme in London, Leeds and Glasgow is specifically designed to bridge the gap between taking a career break and re-entering the workplace.

Our training builds upon existing experience, refreshing your skills and knowledge whilst equipping you with the confidence to return to work. As well as professional and technical training, we provide ongoing support whilst on client site to ensure you are able to start making a difference from day one.

How It Works

Apply to the FDM Getting Back to Business Programme.
Train, upskill and refresh your CV with FDM’s tailored training for returners.
Work on-site with prestigious industry-leading clients for a minimum of two years in a full time position.
Excel as you make a smooth transition back into the corporate world.

Why FDM

We equip you with:

Customised seven-week training course for returners.
Opportunity to gain PRINCE2 certification.
CV workshops and interview coaching.
Two+ years of experience working with our clients, getting your foot back in the door of the corporate world.
Ongoing career support and professional development.

Supporting Your Progression

FDM has a number of programmes in place to continuously support and engage our people:

Consultant Peer Support (CPS) Programme

The CPS Programme ensures that when a new consultant is placed onsite, they are connected with a more senior FDM consultant already working with that client to help ease their transition. These CPS ambassadors provide the guidance needed to help new consultants get settled, connect with fellow FDMers in the area and prepare for their new roles onsite.

Mentoring Programme

The Mentoring Programme brings together individuals at all levels of their career journey, from management to new starters. It provides you the opportunity to build relationships and network within FDM’s wider community by linking our consultants, alumni, trainees, internal staff and clients together.

Employee Assistance and Mental Health First Aid
We provide a 24-hour confidential employee assistance helpline. The service provides guidance in many aspects of life including financial, relationship, addictions and mental health. FDM’s Wellbeing initiative also includes access to over 30 mental health first aiders throughout our UK centres.

Alumni Network

FDM has launched the careers of thousands of people who make up our alumni network of talented individuals. We regularly interact and engage with our alumni community, giving past and present FDMers a network from which to build relationships, learn from others and explore opportunities with people who have had similar career experiences.

Career Opportunities

The Getting Back to Business programme consists of a special seven-week training pathway that refreshes existing knowledge and builds upon previous leadership and management experience. This programme will prepare you for roles within project support or project management, business analysis or risk, regulation and compliance teams, depending on past experience and client needs.

As a business analyst you will work with a wide range of people across the business, identifying areas of improvement and finding solutions. You will be responsible for capturing business requirements and develop a detailed understanding of processes surrounding them while contributing to the creation of business cases.

Within risk, regulation and compliance teams you would be responsible for assessing third party risk, performance, compliance and ongoing monitoring. You would do this by providing internal stakeholders and third parties with guidance on following all aspects of the third party risk programme, ensure all due diligence steps are performed and all applicable policies and procedures followed.

FDM Project Support Officers and Project Managers work with clients on the planning, management and control of key projects. These roles could involve project risk planning, critical path analysis, stakeholder management and reporting and the utilisation of Agile project delivery methods.

“The Getting Back to Business Programme helped me to find what I wanted to do and provided me with a path to get there. I found each week of training rewarding and all the trainers were extremely supportive. FDM really helped me to get back to work, giving me the confidence to continue my career after taking a break to raise my family”.

Helen Van der Straaten, FDM Business Consultant placed at News UK

Criteria & Process

We are looking for:

Experienced individuals looking to return to work after an extended career break.
Previous experience in business analysis, project support or project management.
A strong aptitude and interest in business.
The ability to commit to a two-year employment contract with FDM once the seven-week training period is complete.
Individuals who are able to work in a full time role.

Join Us

Our application process:

1. Apply online.

2. Complete a telephone interview.

3. Attend an assessment day at one of our centres in London, Leeds or Glasgow.

Events

Find us at the next event near you:

Date	Time	Event Title	Event Location
Friday, January 10, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Monday, January 13, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group Glasgow	Register
Thursday, January 16, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, January 30, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, February 13, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, March 5, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, March 19, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, April 2, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, April 30, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, May 14, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register
Thursday, June 18, 2020	10am to 12:30pm	Open Morning	FDM Group London	Register

These provide you with the opportunity to find out what the Getting Back to Business Programme has to offer as well as network with the senior management team. Contact us at [email protected] to find out about upcoming events.

Contact

Ready to join our Getting Back to Business Programme? You can apply directly online here.

Still have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected] to speak to someone in our dedicated Getting Back to Business Team.

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Career Stories

“I was thrilled when I was accepted into FDM’s Getting Back to Business Programme. I had not realised how much my confidence had been crushed prior to returning. The programme really helped me to change that and sharing the experience with other returners was inspiring. I feel proud of what I have managed to achieve with the help of FDM. The returners in the programme are a group of remarkable people who have so much to offer and contribute.”

Suzanne Lowe, FDM Business Consultant placed at Save the Children UK

“The Getting Back to Business Programme helped me to find what I wanted to do and provided me with a path to get there. I found each week of training rewarding and all the trainers were extremely supportive. FDM really helped me get back to work, giving me the confidence to continue my career after taking a break to raise my family.”

Helen Van der Straaten, FDM Business Consultant placed at News UK

“I took a break for several years to look after my son when my husband suddenly passed away. Initially I was scared and nervous starting the FDM Getting Back to Business Programme, but with each passing week I felt increasingly more confident and self-assured. The training was relevant and challenging, with supportive trainers and a great group of peers. I feel incredibly lucky to be a returner. FDM has given me a second chance to further develop a successful career. “

Petra Sanderson, FDM Business Consultant placed at BP International Ltd.

“Initially I had hesitations applying to FDM’s Getting Back to Business Programme as I didn’t know if I had the relevant skills to return after my gap in the tech industry. Nevertheless, I decided to apply. The training was very beneficial to help me learn new skills and brush up on my old ones. All these experiences as a whole have helped me to build my confidence and have reinstated my decision to return to work in tech.”

Helga Gonsalves FDM Business Consultant placed at The Home Office