At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Mainframe Academy to learn coding and develop tech skills.
- Company: A leading name in UK retail, expanding its e-commerce business.
- Benefits: £26,000 salary, structured training, and potential for permanent position.
- Other info: Dynamic learning environment with opportunities for growth and certification.
- Why this job: Kickstart your tech career with hands-on experience and expert guidance.
- Qualifications: Passion for technology, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Description
Please note: The start date for this role will be January 2027.
If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete online assessments plus a brief video interview.
If you are successful at these stages, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre on Thursday 19/11/26 OR Friday 20/11/26
Annual salary: £26,000
Are you looking to start a career in Technology?
Do you have a passion for learning and problem solving?
Do you want to work as part of a team and have a strong desire to grow and develop?
Then our Mainframe Academy is the place for you!
Let’s talk numbers.
When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a bigger name.
We sell thousands of items an hour and are expanding our e-commerce business by the second.
For anyone in Tech, this is the place to learn.
To grow.
And to thrive.
About the Academy
At the heart of all our systems lies the Mainframe and we are looking for great people to join us!
Guiding you from a complete beginner to IT professional, the Academy will match your natural aptitude with the technical skills and soft skills you will need to progress to a Mainframe Developer.
The Ecommerce Ordering, Finance, Stock and Pricing and Warehouse Departments within Next Technology all use Mainframe systems to deliver exciting projects that contribute to NEXT’s ongoing success.
Our aim is to develop you to a professional Mainframe Developer , when you’ll then be able to perform all elements of the role including:
- Involvement in the full lifecycle development including analysis, design, deployment (etc)
- Providing analytical and programming skills across Mainframe platforms, translating business requirements into code
- Developing new concepts, testing, deploying and supporting the multitude of applications used by our business.
- Utilising AI tools to supplement and enhance analytical and programming skills.
- Proactively improving existing skills, taking on new technical skills as appropriate, and continuously seeking to expand business knowledge.
- Working closely with other departments in tech to improve cross-team resolution of issues.
- Being flexible to provide additional support when required by project work, key events, peak periods etc.
- About the programme
The initial 12 months focus on the fundamentals of Mainframe, where you’ll receive structured training, as well as applying your new skills with exercises and projects.
The classroom learning sessions are mandatory.
If successful after the initial 12 months, you’ll then move into one of our teams , where you’ll continue to build your experience with on the job learning and objectives, supported by advanced training as a trainee developer.
The programme will consist of sessions with our Technical Trainer and from our Subject Matter Experts.
These will be complemented with online learning to achieve Badges and Certification from IBM.
You will complete sessions and assessments in common coding languages including, but not limited to, JCL, COBOL and DB2.
There will be various individual and group projects during the programme for you to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered.
You will be provided with a timetable of sessions and the locations they will be held.
Initially this will be on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract basis moving to a permanent position following successful completion of the first year of the programme.
In order to get the most out of the Academy, you’ll need to be prepared to work hard and use your initiative to upskill yourself alongside the training that we’ll give you.
Are you a perfect match?
- You will be passionate about technology and driven to learn to code.
- You will have an aptitude for problem solving.
- You will enjoy challenges and be naturally inquisitive.
- You will have strong communication skills with well-balanced analytical skills.
- You are a team player who thrives in a fast paced, busy and challenging environment.
Mainframe Academy - Leicester employer: Next Careers
At Victoria’s Secret, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and passion for customer service thrive. Our Sales Associates enjoy flexible shifts, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment, all while being part of a globally recognised brand that values creativity and innovation. Located in Exeter, our store provides a unique chance to engage with customers in a dynamic setting, making every day rewarding and enjoyable.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mainframe Academy - Leicester
✨Join Tech Meetups and Hackathons
Dive into local tech meetups and hackathons where you can connect with fellow software enthusiasts. These events are fantastic for networking and can land you some serious contacts who might point you towards trainee roles like the one at Next Careers.
✨Show Off Your Projects on GitHub
Make sure to have a solid portfolio on GitHub showcasing any projects or contributions to open-source software. This not only highlights your coding skills but also shows your commitment to learning and engaging with the developer community—key traits that Next Careers will be looking for!
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're still at uni, don’t miss out on your career services. They often have exclusive connections with companies looking for trainee engineers. Plus, they can help you polish your interview skills and get your foot in the door when applying for roles at places like Next Careers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Always check out Next Careers's careers page and apply directly through our website. We love when candidates show enough interest to go straight to the source—it shows initiative and might just give you that extra edge to stand out as a trainee in software engineering!
We think you need these skills to ace Mainframe Academy - Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects!:As a trainee in software engineering, your portfolio is your best friend. Make sure to highlight any personal projects or contributions to open-source on platforms like GitHub. This not only demonstrates your coding skills but also your ability to work collaboratively and learn new technologies.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:When applying for a software development trainee role at Next Careers, make sure your CV reflects relevant skills and technologies. Mention specific programming languages you’re familiar with, any relevant coursework, and projects that align with what Next Careers does. This tells us you’ve done your homework!
Be Genuine in Your Cover Letter:We really want to see your passion for software development! In your cover letter, share why you're excited about the opportunity at Next Careers and what you hope to learn. This is your chance to show us your enthusiasm and motivation for jumping into the world of engineering.
Highlight Your Learning Ability:As a trainee, your eagerness to learn is key! Emphasise instances where you quickly picked up new skills or technologies. This can go a long way in proving that you’re ready to tackle challenges and grow within the team at Next Careers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Code with Confidence
Since this is a trainee role in software engineering, expect some coding challenges or technical questions. Brush up on your programming fundamentals and be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of algorithms and data structures. Practise coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank so you can tackle any unexpected questions with ease.
✨Show Off Your Projects
As a trainee, your portfolio can really set you apart! Bring along examples of any personal projects or contributions to open-source to showcase your skills. Explain what tools you used, what challenges you faced, and how you overcame them – this can demonstrate your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Brush Up on Team Dynamics
Software engineering isn't just about coding solo – it's about collaboration too. Be prepared to discuss how you work within a team, manage conflicts, or take feedback. Maybe think through a few examples of past team experiences that you can reference during the interview to show you’re adaptable and ready to grow.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
As you’re applying for a trainee position, the recruiters at Next Careers will be looking for your motivation and potential to grow. Be honest about what you don’t know yet, but balance that out by expressing your enthusiasm for learning new technologies and methodologies. This attitude can be just as important as your current skillset!
