Crimson Academy
Build a meaningful career in Microsoft and AI
Join Crimson's award-winning IT apprenticeship programme
Crimson Academy is how we grow our future consultants. It sits at the heart of our business, not on the sidelines. When you join as an apprentice, we are genuinely invested in your success because your growth directly shapes the impact we deliver for our clients and the communities they serve.
Turning your potential into real-world impact
Our award-winning IT apprenticeship programme is designed for people who want more than just a job in tech. If you’re motivated, curious, and want to build a career as a Microsoft Consultant, we’ll give you the structure, support, and real-world experience to get there.
You don’t need a traditional background in IT. Our apprentices include school leavers, graduates, and career changers who decided to back themselves and move into technology with purpose.
From day one, you’ll earn a full salary and benefits while working on live client projects. You’ll learn from experienced Crimson consultants, use modern Microsoft technologies, and follow a structured training pathway that can take you from a Level 4 apprenticeship through to a degree-level qualification.
We partner with specialist training provider Digital Native UK to deliver the formal learning side of the programme, while Crimson focuses on what really matters: hands-on experience, mentoring, and preparing you to succeed in a consulting career.
Crimson is a Microsoft consulting business working across higher education, housing, homebuilding, and local government. The work we do helps organisations serve students, tenants, buyers, and citizens better. As an apprentice, you won’t just learn how technology works. You’ll learn why it matters.
What are the day-to-day tasks?
The scheme is varied, and time is split across focused study time with Digital Native and project related work with Crimson. Applicants must be organised, as every day is filled with different tasks – no day is the same at Crimson.
During the level 4 stage of the apprenticeship, the days are very structured, and as you progress through the apprenticeship you will become more independent.
At the Crimson Head Office, tasks include software testing, writing up requirements, client/internal meetings, and information analysis.
There are also plenty of self-improvement, personal growth, and business awareness sessions at Digital Native and Crimson. There is a mandatory reading list and each apprentice is asked to lead a book review which is presented on a Teams call with an open invitation to the whole Crimson team.
What are the minimum requirements?
For Crimson Academy, the main requirement is having the right mindset, personality and inter-personal skills to fit the Crimson culture. We are looking for individuals interested in a career in tech but you don’t have to be an IT expert already.
Our solutions are low code, no code and our programme will ensure you learn you all the tech you need to know. Applicants should be 18 or over (as a minimum your 18th birthday must fall during the first year of study) and have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s (grade 5 or above), including English and Maths however most of our current Academy have either A levels (or equivalent) or a degree.
What qualifications will I get?
The qualifications you will get depend on the apprenticeship programme you join and your previous qualifications. All Academy members will undertake Microsoft exams including MB-901 and PL-200. Below you will find information on the qualifications for each programme, and for those who already have a degree.
Level 4 Software Testing Programme: Level 4 ISTQB Software Tester Qualification. Digital & Technology Solutions BSc (Hons) provided they continue to Level 5/6.
Level 4 Business Analyst Programme: Level 4 BCS Foundation Certificate. Digital & Technology Solutions BSc (Hons) provided they continue to Level 5/6.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree: Level 4 qualification (ISTQB Qualification or BCS Certificate). If you already have a degree, you can choose whether to continue to study for a further 2 years after achieving the level 4 to gain an IT degree, or move onto 100% delivery after the first year, and therefore will not achieve an IT degree.
Will there be a job after I complete the apprenticeship?
Provided apprentices meet their first-year targets and pass the course, they will have a permanent role as a Junior Microsoft Consultant at Crimson when the apprenticeship is finished.
Our Microsoft Consultants work to create solutions to clients’ IT needs using the full suite of Microsoft software products. They work with clients from a wide range of sectors including higher education, house builders, housing associations and local government.
Why should you apply to the Crimson Academy?
An award-winning programme
Our degree apprenticeship programme has achieved regional and national recognition within 12 months of launch.
Crimson was named SME Employer of the Year at the West Midlands National Apprenticeship Awards 2020, went on to be Highly Commended at the National Apprenticeship Awards, and later won Medium Employer of the Year at the Birmingham Live Apprenticeship Awards.
Join the Crimson family and make a difference
At Crimson, you join a supportive team of people who care about doing meaningful work and are trusted with real responsibility from the outset.
By month three, apprentices work alongside experienced Microsoft Consultants on live client projects, applying what they’ve learned with Digital Native and building confidence through real-world experience within genuine client delivery teams and projects.
Competitive salary
Our apprentices will receive £18,000-£22,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. This is highly competitive in comparison to equivalent programmes, and apprentices can expect to earn £35,000 once they have successfully completed the programme.
Certified Microsoft Solutions Partner
Crimson is a Microsoft Solutions Partner, a status awarded to organisations with proven technical expertise and consistently high levels of client satisfaction. This means you’ll learn from experienced, Microsoft-certified professionals who bring real industry knowledge and are committed to supporting your development..
Recognised IT qualifications
The Software Testing Programme includes internationally recognised qualifications from ISTQB, the world’s most widely adopted software testing certification board. Alongside this, apprentices gain Microsoft certifications MB-901 and PL-200 in year one, with opportunities to earn further certifications as the programme progresses.
Growing company
This is an exciting time to join Crimson. Since June 2019, we’ve grown by around 60% and reached the milestone of 100 employees in September 2020. We continue to invest in emerging AI technologies such as Microsoft Copilot, while expanding our sector specialisms to help address the real challenges facing local and regional government.
Essential benefits
Every employee at Crimson benefits from our pension scheme, private healthcare, death in service, life cover and an Employee Assistance Programme. These are essential benefits that help to look after our staff and their wellbeing.
We cultivate our culture to help our employees grow
At Crimson, we value a positive workplace culture that supports collaboration and personal growth, with a busy events calendar and an annual awards event. We’re recognised as one of the 75 Best Companies to Work For in the Midlands, with a Best Companies 2-star rating for wellbeing and engagement.
Do I belong at Crimson?
Diversity and inclusion are important across Crimson and the rest of the Nash Squared, and Crimson Academy aim to improve the diversity of the cohorts year on year. A diverse workforce provides different viewpoints and results in a more successful business overall.
Since Crimson onboarded its first Academy cohort in 2019, we have gradually increased our gender balance. We recognise that we still have much work to do to achieve a diverse workforce overall and will continue to challenge our approach.
Crimson Academy’s 2019 cohort, the first group of apprentices to join Crimson, included three females and five males, and the 2020 cohort was made up of four females and six males. The aim onwards is a 50/50 split for gender, while continuing to encourage diversity surrounding race, age and social background.
In 2019, Crimson created its very own tech community for women, known as Women in Tech, which includes social gatherings, webinars and a podcast channel, The WIT Diaries. Crimson’s Women in Tech community is ideal for women in senior IT roles, or those who aspire to be in senior IT roles, where they can share stories, insights, and advice to encourage and empower one another.
“My advice to women who are considering starting a career in tech is to be passionate, be confident and recognise, and embrace your uniqueness. Being a woman in a heavily male-dominated field means you are going to have a unique voice, and that is invaluable.”Sabrina, Junior Crimson Consultant
How to ace your application
Some successful applicants haven’t been called to an interview before, while some may have been to several. Whether it’s your first interview, or one of many, it’s always good to know what to expect when the day arrives. Here are our top four tips for our Academy interviews:
Dress for the occasion
How you present yourself is critical in job applications, including what you wear. Whether your interview is in-person or virtual, make sure you look smart. You can’t go wrong with formal trousers/skirt, an ironed shirt/blouse and smart shoes. Make sure your shoes are polished and remember personal hygiene is vital too.
Do your research
It’s important to have some knowledge of Crimson, including the background of the company and what we do. Google is your friend. You don’t need to be an IT whizz just yet, but having a basic understanding of our sectors, the two sides to our business and Microsoft products we offer is always a good start.
Don’t let a video/telephone interview hold you back
Applicants are often more relaxed during video and telephone interviews thanks to the comfortable setting, but it is very easy to get them wrong. Ensure you find a quiet space for the interview, with minimum background noise. For video interviews, make sure you position yourself in the upper middle of the screen and test the video, audio and login credentials at least 5 minutes before the interview is due to start.
Remember the aim of the stage
Register your interest
Please note: Applications for 2026 are yet to open. To register your interest and receive a notification when applications open, please complete the form below.
Cat Halstead
Change and Transformation Director
t. 01675 466 477 e. catherine.halstead@crimson.co.uk