Sigma Labs approached the topic of graduate employment differently to others in the data industry by providing an entry point into data for high-potential individuals who are overlooked by traditional hiring techniques. A structured 16-week programme gives graduates the technical skills and success frameworks to excel in a commercial role at Sigma Labs. Empowered by bespoke high-performance training and ongoing executive coaching, these consultants are rated top quartile performers compared to peers of a similar level in the data industry.
Furthermore, Sigma Labs has committed to re-investing all profits back into graduate education, establishing a continuous development of the programme and the ability to successfully train future business leaders using world-class techniques.
Reengineering graduate employment
Sigma Labs identified flaws across the graduate recruitment field, especially at scale, such as having biases which screen out individuals with high potential at an early stage. To combat this, the Sigma Labs recruitment team reengineered the traditional graduate hiring processes with a human-led approach.
During a four-stage process, candidates meet with two senior members of the Sigma Labs data team to receive tailored support throughout the application, allowing the identification of where traditional heuristics fall short. One example is the partnership with EY, where Sigma Labs deployed a team of 12 consultants, all of whom have excelled over the two-year graduate programme – and many of this cohort had previously applied directly to the ‘big four’ graduate schemes and had been rejected. EY rated 80% of the Sigma Labs graduates as “Exceeding Expectations”, and 25% “Outstanding” – stating “Whether it is because of the education or the sourcing, Sigma Labs talent is absolutely top class.”
By using a hire-train-deploy model, Sigma Labs provides graduates an entry point to the industry and train them in skills and behaviours for success. After an initial training period, the leadership team embed the graduates into enterprise businesses on a two-year programme, providing invaluable commercial experience working in data and technology teams. Furthermore, this model allows clients to hire consultants permanently, providing career opportunities that may not have been available without Sigma Labs.
The 16-week programme gives graduates the tools needed to begin a successful career, with a mixture of technical and Professional High Performance (PHP) training. Sigma Labs offer the opportunity to train in data, software, or cloud technologies and practices, meaning consultants can go on to have careers across several disciplines. The course is broken down into three sections; six weeks of software fundamentals, seven weeks on data specifics, and three weeks on group projects. By the end of the training programme, the consultants will have worked on four business case studies which replicate the application of data in a real-world setting.
Sourcing talent from all areas
Many of Sigma Labs’ consultants come from low socio-economic backgrounds. In the UK, 50% of people from a free school meals background earn less than £17,000 by the time they are 30. Sigma Labs’ inclusive approach to hiring means that between 30-50% of each cohort is from a free school meals background and are taking their first steps onto the career ladder in a lucrative field. Additionally, 30-40% of each cohort identify as female, and 60% non-white; both statistics higher than industry average.
A graduate from Cohort One stated: “As I approach the end of my contract with Sigma Labs, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution to the first two years of my career. I still remember trying to break into the industry after university and having no luck until Sigma Labs crossed my path. I think the mission and vision of Sigma Labs is truly changing lives at a compounded rate (more than most probably realise). I appreciate every minute of the time Sigma Labs have given me.”
Although still early in its journey, Sigma Labs has seen impressive results and has truly made an impact in early years career training. The team has helped nearly 200 graduates begin careers in data and technology – more than 80% of which have been rated top quartile performers by clients. Sigma Labs’ business model and reason for existing is entirely to create a route into data for graduates, prioritising those from low-income backgrounds.
