SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Global betting group bet365 has extended its Software Testing Academy to Manchester, opening its doors to new applications seeking a technology career.
The centre, operated by bet365’s tech division Hillside Technology, is specifically looking for software testers, and will assess candidates based on the ‘core competencies’ of communication, attention to detail, prioritisation, knowledge retention and analytical skills.
Up to 10 testers will be recruited to and trained by the Manchester hub, with assessment dates confirmed for 21 and 22 February, with a targeted start date of March or April.
Kamal Kaaba, CEO Hillside Technology, said: “If you’re interested in technology, struggling to break into the industry, or looking for work that utilises your analytical, organisational and communication skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to kick start your career.
“By focusing on the desired core competencies of a Tester, as opposed to recent or previous career experience, we hope to create a recruitment programme that offers those possessing the right skills an opportunity to apply for a role that otherwise they might have thought unachievable or not considered.”
With the opening of the new Manchester training centre bet365 has detailed an ambition to extend its reach into traditional and non-traditional job markets.
From a talent development standpoint, the firm aims to both ‘inspire’ those already seeking technology careers as well as those with the skills necessary but have not considered such a path before.
Upon selection, trainees will join a testing team, working jointly and independently on a ‘range of workstreams’ centred around different testing techniques and products.
Training will be provided through internal and external courses such as the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level.
The development comes after reports last month that bet365 is currently monitoring global recruitment pools amid a number of layoffs at prominent firms such as Meta and Revolut.
Dan Myatt, bet365 Recruitment Manager, was quoted by the Times as stating that the redundancies ‘could free up some relevant skills’, adding: “Companies like (Meta) have also extended the salary bandings quite dramatically. People have been highly paid for minimal years of experience so it could be a shock to the system from a recruitment perspective.”
Meanwhile, the expansion of the Software Training Centre in Manchester also strengthens bet365’s ties to the city, one of the eight ‘core cities’ of the proposed ‘Northern Powerhouse’ of North England economic centres.
The group, which is based just 33 miles south of Manchester in Stoke-on-Trent, announced the development of a tech hub in the city back in 2016, before embarking on a series of expansions over the next five years.
In a recent interview with SBC News, bet365’s links to the city were referenced by the company’s spokesperson in a discussion about the operator’s partnership with Manchester-headquartered boxing promotion BOXXER./
“Our partners at BOXXER, originating just 40 miles away in Manchester, are taking similar steps to international recognition, following events in Europe and plans for the US and Latin America,” the company explained.
