We visited Visa’s London office to fully capture the transformative impact of degree apprenticeships. We met with apprentices, their managers, and the early careers leader. Their insights revealed a significant departure from traditional graduate training routes.
The degree apprenticeship at Visa is a powerful blend of on-the-job experience, academic learning, structured mentorship, and industry-recognised qualifications upon completion. This programme is built to propel graduates into leadership roles within the fast-paced world of digital payments and is a blueprint for the future of early talent development.
Sikander Asad’s journey at Visa Europe highlights the impact of academic rigour and practical application in the workplace, a hallmark of Visa’s degree apprenticeship programme. Opting for this path to maintain his financial independence and secure an industry-recognised degree, Sikander has navigated the dual demands of work and study. “I didn’t want to go to uni full-time because I had already gained financial independence, and I wanted to avoid student debt—a degree apprenticeship was the best option,” he explains.
Sikander is at the forefront of AI consulting at Visa. This project, the first of its kind at Visa, allows him the freedom to innovate and lay down the groundwork for future AI endeavours within the business. “It’s very much discovery-focused and exploratory,” he describes. He strongly advocates for the degree apprenticeship route over traditional university pathways, stating, “I think at the end of the day, applying what you’ve learned in a practical environment will always prove much more beneficial than just theory-based learning in a classroom setting.”
Johnny Graham, Senior Manager in Business Development for Visa Direct and a mentor to several Degree Apprentices at Visa, supports Sikander’s perspective. He says, “To see them come in fresh from school and mature and learn and grow in confidence during their two-and-a-half-year programme, it’s a pretty rewarding and special experience.”
Sikander’s story highlights a new pathway into the workforce, suitable for aspiring professionals who seek a more dynamic and integrative approach to higher education and career development.