The Challenge
Like many technology businesses, Funding Circle wanted to improve representation within its engineering teams. Insights from the 2025 Lovelace Report continue to highlight that women remain significantly underrepresented across the UK technology sector and Funding Circle knew that creating meaningful change would require more than hiring differently.
The goal: build sustainable pathways into technology careers, with the support structures for people to stay and grow.
“We know that to be diverse and inclusive we have to be intentional about creating equitable opportunities. This wasn’t just about hiring more diversely. We wanted to create a place where women can build successful careers in technology.”
Jennie Woods, VP Engineering, Funding Circle
The Solution
Funding Circle partnered with Makers to launch a software engineering apprenticeship programme focused on potential, not prior technical experience.
Across three cohorts, the programme gave career changers a structured route into technology, combining technical training with real-world experience embedded inside Funding Circle’s engineering teams. Apprentices contributed to production work from day one, learned alongside experienced engineers, and accessed dedicated coaching throughout.
“At Makers, you don’t treat apprenticeships as a tick-box exercise. You centre the experience of every apprentice and make sure it leads to a career.”
Jennie Woods, VP Engineering, Funding Circle
The Results
100%Achievement Rate |
100%Promoted |
3Cohorts Delivered |
Every apprentice across all three cohorts completed their qualification. |
All first cohort apprentices progressed to mid-level engineering roles. |
A proven, repeatable pipeline for diverse engineering talent. |
Beyond the numbers, the programme strengthened Funding Circle’s wider engineering culture. Experienced engineers developed coaching, mentoring, and leadership skills with the organisation building a proven, repeatable pathway for attracting diverse talent into technical careers.
What They’ve Learned
Three cohorts in, Jennie is clear about what works and what she’d share with any business considering its own apprenticeship journey:
- Coaching benefits the whole department, not just the learner. Engineers at all levels naturally stepped up to create mentoring schemes and training sessions.
- Apprenticeships create low-stakes leadership opportunities, ideal for those wanting to try people management without formal reports.
- Programmes that centre diversity build the right foundations for equitable experiences and lasting representation.
“Having an apprenticeship scheme has allowed us to evolve our conversations and thinking around career progression. We’re enabling our team to develop and supporting them to build careers.”
Jennie Woods, VP Engineering, Funding Circle
Learner Spotlight: Jennifer Wark
Jennifer joined Funding Circle’s second cohort as a career changer, swapping life as a Theatre Consultant for software engineering. The apprenticeship format was key in her decision to apply.
"Providing dedicated learning time and support without the massive upfront cost, it was perfect for me.”
Jennifer Wark, Software Engineer, Funding Circle
Day-to-day, Jennifer learned by picking up real tasks, writing production code, and pairing with colleagues. Fridays were ring-fenced for coursework, keeping learning and delivery in balance. Her all-female cohort added another layer of support.
“It was an amazing space to share learnings, navigate the difficult parts of the coursework, and celebrate our wins together.”
A highlight came when Jennifer led a team feature while still an apprentice, drawing on skills from her previous career that the rest of the team didn’t have.
The results were immediate. Jennifer secured a permanent engineering role at Funding Circle and was promoted from Junior Engineer to Engineer within six months of completing the programme.
“The apprenticeship was completely life-changing. It transitioned me into a career I am incredibly happy with.”
Her advice to other women considering tech:
“Being embedded in a company gives you immediate access to real-world systems and experienced people, allowing you to build a strong knowledge base, gain confidence, and grow your CV much faster than you would on your own.”
Want to build a diverse tech pipeline like this? Talk to us.
