Training & development
Times may be tough but our commitment to training and development remains as strong as ever.
We’re well aware that personal development isn’t just essential for the individual – it’s vital for CGI as a whole. That’s why we’ll invest in your future. We’ll monitor your performance at every stage and ensure you have the resources needed to flourish.
We don’t confine trainees to a rigid path. Beyond the initial foundation modules, our approach is one of total flexibility. It doesn’t matter whether your future lies in system analysis, project management or business solutions – where possible we’ll tailor the programme to your needs.
CGI has partnered with a specialist provider to offer a detailed and rigorous training programme.
The first few days will see you joining other graduates on a residential induction course. Here, you’ll learn the fundamentals. You’ll then complete a series of specially designed modules in your own time, which focus on each of our business areas. These modules will last for the duration of your time on the graduate scheme and many of the course materials will be available online.
The purpose of this training is two-fold. On the one hand, it will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of our organisation and its many functions. On the other, it will equip you with core set of business skills. You’ll learn how to handle client relationships and how to manage your time effectively. Depending on your career path, you’ll also have the chance to learn about project delivery, solution requirements, business analysis and other key topics. Where appropriate, we’ll supplement this with additional training to boost your technical skills in specific areas.
When it comes to the practicalities of actually performing a role, we passionately believe in learning by doing. Rather than spending weeks in a classroom, you’ll therefore start working on real projects straight away. You’ll join our teams on a whole range of assignments. Some may only take a few days, but many will last several months. Our overriding aim is to give you as much real business exposure as possible.
At the start of the programme, you’ll create a personal development plan with one of our team leaders. This will identify your particular interests and set out your career aspirations. At regular intervals, you will then meet up and review your progress. The team leader will help you assess your performance and address any gaps in your skills. Where appropriate, they will also refine your career objectives.
In the last six months of the programme, you’ll start making decisions about your long-term career. Working with your team leader, you’ll identify which business practice is right for you. Once accepted, you’ll then be assigned to a new team leader who’ll work with you for the rest of your career at CGI.
This programme is for students who take an industrial gap year as part of a four-year degree. During your 12 months with us, you’ll gain both real-life project experience and a genuine insight into our business. You’ll also have the chance to showcase your talents. Perform well, and we may even offer you a graduate position for the following year.
You’ll carry out the same kind of work and gain the same kind of client exposure as our graduate recruits. As well as practical experience, you’ll also get a flavour of what our graduate programme is like. Your application form will be based on the one we use for our graduate programme, and you’ll go through exactly the same assessment and interview process. You’ll also spend your first four days on our graduate induction. There will also be a special event for you to network and make contacts.
