Technology Graduate Programme

We’re a digital business, driven by data, and using technology to create new services that transform customer and colleague experiences. Join this structured, two-year graduate programme and you’ll build the skills, knowledge and experience you need to be a key player in our pioneering technology teams.

You’ll have the chance to contribute to a variety of real projects, from agile working, to supporting our transformation over to cloud and cloud native services, to automation, migrating our datacentre and developing a next generation contact centre. In short, you’ll play a key role in helping to shape our digital transformation.

You will also gain exposure to all elements of running the delivery function by working alongside the wider team. Hastings Direct technology, culture and approach is evolving to embrace true engineering and DevSecOps first principles. On this graduate programme you’ll be at the forefront of this technical journey.

Where you’ll be based

You’ll be based at our fantastic Bexhill, East Sussex office which is close to the seafront.

We’re committed to hybrid working, so you’ll have the flexibility to work some days in the office and some days at home.

Starting your career with us

We understand that your first graduate role should be more than just a job. Starting your career at Hastings Direct gives you the chance to make your mark in an ambitious, rapidly growing and digitally driven business. A company that genuinely cares about you as an individual, respects your opinions and listens to your ideas. One where you can make a positive difference, because you’re encouraged to look for growth opportunities and achieve your full potential.

We aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge to progress your career. We’ll provide you with a nurturing and challenging environment to help expand your horizons, develop new skills and make new connections.

Most of all, you’ll find all the support you need, from people at every level, so you can fulfil your ambitions. From managers who are approachable and supportive, to colleagues who are always ready to help each other out. In short, you’ll have all you need to launch a successful career.

Your rotations

Over the two-year programme, you’ll have the opportunity to gain experience across Technology Services, working on core projects that enable our digital transformation. It’s a great way to discover how technology supports every aspect of our business and to develop wide-ranging technical skills and understanding.

You’ll have four placements each lasting six months with a focus on developing your collaboration and coding skills. The placements could be within the following areas:

Agile Delivery

Our teams collaborate closely with developers to employ an iterative and incremental approach that enables us to deliver value quickly and efficiently to our customers. By prioritizing customer needs, we ensure that our development process remains guided and purposeful.
DevOps and Cloud Engineering

As Hastings Direct undergoes a technology transformation, we're committed to leveraging the power of cloud technologies and DevOps practices to create innovative services that transform our delivery and hosting capabilities. Our teams are passionate about continuous integration and delivery, which help us achieve desired outcomes.
Application Engineering and Automation

Day to day delivery of the applications that make Hastings Direct a success, these vary from innovative microservices and web applications, to the foundation of Hastings business in our cloud-based platform, Guidewire. Work with diverse coding languages and testing approaches to ensure the success of Hastings Direct.
Colleague Engineering

At the heart of a modern workplace lies our Colleague Engineering team, responsible for ensuring we provide a comprehensive service desk to our colleagues while also supporting voice, MS Teams and all modern workplace platforms to maintain collaboration across teams.
By the end of the programme, you’ll have a strong understanding of how our different teams work together to enable the business to thrive.

Your professional development

From the moment you join us, we’ll make sure you have access to a wide variety of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. You’ll be enrolled on our early careers development programme, providing you with a suite of bespoke sessions which develop the strengths we know graduates need to be successful at Hastings Direct. You’ll also have the opportunity to network and meet others in graduate programmes across the business.

To support you in your programme, we offer dedicated development and coaching to build your leadership skills, along with regular formal training to support wider awareness of company, industry and regulatory requirements.

And our inclusive, supportive culture means you’ll have a strong support network around you. From leaders to mentors, buddies to our Early Careers team, you’ll always have someone you can talk to about anything. From your future career at Hastings Direct, to where to get a coffee!

What we look for

We look for a combination of technical and personal skills, so you’ll need to have:

Qualifications

A degree, achieved in the last three years in any subject

Interests

Passionate about technology and coding

Skills

Coding experience or a keen interest which can be demonstrated

Excellent communication skills with an ability to contribute to the conversation

Behaviours

The ability to work in a team and collaborate with colleagues

Eagerness to learn and continually improve skills

Naturally curious and keen to learn and innovate

Meet some of the team

Jorvan, Technology Graduate (Second Year Graduate)

I was attracted by the rotations offered in the graduate role. I am extremely fortunate to be able to work and learn within a variety of different teams within the technology department, not many others get such a wide range of experiences so early on in their career.

There have been many highlights for me over the past year. The overall development I have gained and the amazing people I have met and worked with have been a huge part of my time here. I was given the opportunity by my manager to do a presentation in front of many colleagues and Microsoft. It went very well and is my biggest highlight as I had emphasised that public speaking was an area for me to improve.

Our recruitment process

After each stage, we’ll let you know if you’ve made it to the next one and what to expect. If you haven’t, we’ll be happy to give you feedback.

Apply

Choose the right programme for you, then just answer a couple of basic application questions and attach your CV.

Reviewing your application

We’ll review your application to see if you have what we’re looking for in for your chosen programme.

Online assessment

Your chance to show us how you evaluate, reason and conceptualise, spot patterns, solve problems and use your numerical skills to draw conclusions.

Video interview

An interview covering why you want to join us, with some technical questions.

Meet us

From producing case studies and giving presentations, to group and role-specific tasks, this is your chance to shine.

Welcome!

If you’re successful, we’ll offer you a place on one of our programmes and call you to talk through the details.

Frequently asked questions

I already work at Hastings Direct – can I still apply?

Absolutely! If you meet our eligibility requirements, everyone is welcome. We suggest that you also speak with your Leader to help support with your application.
I don’t have a visa – can I still apply to Hastings Direct?

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to sponsor visas for our graduate programmes. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK during the selection process, and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment with the Company.
If you do have immigration permission (e.g. a graduate visa), this visa must cover you for the two or three-year programme and you’ll need to provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.
Can I apply to more than one programme?

Yes, however throughout the recruitment process we may give you the advice that you're better suited to another programme - we always have your best interests at heart.
My degree discipline is not listed on the candidate specification for the programme I am interested in, can I still apply?

Yes, if you can demonstrate your suitability for the role through relevant work experience, projects or modules throughout your degree or additional skills and interests.
I’m a mature student/graduate – can I still apply?

Yes – age is just a number although we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past 3 years.
Can I apply if I’ve already graduated?

Yes, so long as you meet the minimum requirements for the programme you’d like to apply to, and we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past three years.
Do I need to relocate if I’m successful?

This will depend on the programme you are joining. We do typically ask that you are within commutable distance to one of our offices so you benefit from in-person support when you join, further information on which office can be found within the job advert.
I have a disability, long term health or neuro-diverse condition, are you able to provide support or adjustments through the recruitment process?

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We can make adjustments and offer support throughout the recruitment process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. Furthermore, if you are made an offer, we can then discuss with you the adjustments you might need to get on with the job and develop your career.
Please refer to the recruitment process to find out more about the different stages during the recruitment process which will help you identify whether you will need any support or adjustments at any stage. Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
What kind of adjustments can be made?

Adjustments vary depending on the specific needs or circumstances of the individual and the best way to identify the most suitable adjustments is for us to speak with you, which will allow us to determine what adjustments would be most appropriate.
Examples can include additional time, breaks, adjustable font sizes and subtitles on videos.
Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
Is the assessment centre face to face or virtual and when will it take place?

We’ve moved back to face-to-face assessment centres. You’ll be asked to attend an in-person assessment centre, in one of our offices at either Bexhill, Leicester or London.
We will advise you of the scheduled dates for your programme nearer the time so that you can keep the date free.
If I’m successful when is my starting date?

Each programme will start in September 2024.
If you have immigration permission that will allow you to complete your two or three year programme, you must provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.

Ready to apply?

Are you ready for a graduate programme with a fast growing, digitally-focused insurance company? A business with huge ambitions to be the UK’s best and biggest digital insurer?

An organisation that focuses on profitable growth that’s truly sustainable, by doing the right thing for colleagues, customers, the community and the company – our 4Cs? Somewhere that celebrates openness and diversity by encouraging you to be yourself – and was ranked 4th in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List 2023/24?

Are you ready for a future with Hastings Direct?

Recruitment for our 2025 programmes will open on 8 January 2025.

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