FDM Group reviews

When I applied to FDM I was already employed and had been for close to two years when I handed my notice in so that I could join the trainee BA pathway. I was excited to start and saw it as a great opportunity to make a transition in to the project world and undoubtedly receive some brilliant training. HOWEVER. Throughout the interview process/assessment day I highlighted multiple times my preference is to work in London. Whilst I have to take part of the blame here for not truly being 'GeoFlexible' I was led to believe you would be able to achieve your preference in location most of the time. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. For the BA pathway which I chose to do the stats are in fact heavily against being placed in London. Please be careful anyone considering to move out of employment to join this scheme. You have NO say in where you will be placed at all. What you get is what you get and the sales/recruitment/open day/assessment day certainly didn't make that clear. If anything giving the opposite message. A third of BA's get placed in London so if you wish to stay in London this is a big risk. Please bare this in mind. They do make it clear on day 1 & 2 of the academy training but at this point I had already left my previous role and am now unemployed because of a the fabricated pitch I got from everyone in the lead up to my first day. To make the pill even harder to swallow was the reaction I received. Very unconcerned and reacted in a manner that suggested this is a common occurrence for people to pull out when the reality of the location placement message is hammered home. All well and good for people fresh out of Uni but when you have caused someone to leave perm employment to join your company and this is under false pretenses it would have been nice to have at least some concern or an apology. I know people personally who this scheme has worked out well for and I am sure in some cases its brilliant but please all be aware of this before committing anything.

Beware! When you start with FDM, you are forced to sign a 2-year contract with them that pays you WAYYY under the market value for your skills. This then affects your salary negotiations with future employers who don't want to "overpay" you. You are also bounded by a $30,000 penalty fee for the mediocre 4 month training you receive if you break your contract. Account managers are usually very cold and calculative. They see you as a way to make commission and don't care whether you're enjoying your placement or whether it's even in your field. If you are in the Development Stream, you might end up doing IT help desk support! It doesn't matter that it's not part of your career goals, FDM and the Account Managers get paid regardless. By that time, it will be too late because if you break the contract, you have a $30,000 'training fee' penalty!