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For this employer profile, we've caught up with our colleagues at CME Group, whose Apprenticeship provision has been shortlisted by the Department for the Economy for awards in 2025 and 2026.
I asked Jo Ferguson, Director of Collaboration Systems Business Operations to tell us more about life at CME Group and what Applicants can expect when they apply for a role with this global company.
For those of us who haven't heard of you before, what does CME Group do?
CME Group is the world's leading derivatives marketplace. We are a global company that enables institutions and businesses to manage risk and realise opportunities across all major asset classes.
The Belfast Office was established in 2012, and has grown to around 450 staff, across technology, online marketing, legal, HR, Market Regulation, Clearing and other corporate functions.
When looking for employers, what should Apprenticeship applicants know about CME Group?
Here are four key things to know about a career at CME Group:
- Global Impact: We are at the heart of the financial markets, operating across all six major asset classes: Interest Rates, Equity Indexes, Foreign Exchange, Energy, Agricultural Products and Metals. Apprentices contribute to technology and operations that underpin the critical market infrastructure that we provide to the markets.
- Technology Focused: Our Belfast office is a major technology hub, driving innovation in trading technology, data science, and cybersecurity. Apprentices are immersed in cutting-edge projects from day one.
- Culture of Collaboration and Learning: We foster an environment where continuous learning, mentorship, and diverse perspectives are highly valued. Apprentices are treated as full team members and given meaningful responsibilities.
- Commitment to Belfast: We are deeply invested in developing local talent and see the apprenticeship programme as a vital pipeline for future leaders and technical experts.
What does training and mentoring look like at CME Group?
While Ulster University provides the formal "off-the-job" academic component, CME Group ensures robust "on-the-job" learning through:
Dedicated Mentorship Structure
- Assigned Mentors: Every apprentice is paired with an experienced technical professional (often a Senior Engineer or Team Lead) who acts as their primary point of contact for technical guidance and career advice.
- Line Manager Support: Regular one-on-one meetings with a direct manager focus on performance feedback, goal setting, and professional development.
- Buddy System: New apprentices are often paired with a former or senior apprentice for peer support and integration into the team culture.
Practical Experience
- Meaningful Projects: Apprentices work on real, live projects that directly impact CME Group's business, avoiding simulated tasks.
- Rotation: Many apprenticeships include team rotations to provide broad exposure to different technologies and business areas (e.g., trading systems, risk management).
- Internal Training: Access to CME Group's extensive internal training resources, including online courses, tech talks, and certification support (e.g., Cloud certifications).
How do your Apprentices contribute to the ongoing success of CME Group?
Apprenticeships are a sustainable talent pipeline for us. The programme ensures a steady stream of highly skilled, technically proficient employees who are already deeply familiar with CME Group's systems, culture, and business needs. This reduces future recruitment costs and onboarding time.
Our apprentices inject innovation into what we do. They bring fresh perspectives, often having current academic exposure to the latest technologies and methodologies. This challenges established ways of working and drives innovation within our technical teams.
Apprentices enhance team productivity. Apprentices quickly become productive team members, taking on tasks and freeing up senior staff to focus on more complex, strategic challenges.
What to expect from the application process
Online Application
- Submission of CV and answers to competency questions.
- There are clearly defined criteria.
- The online application allows for detailed explanation of non-traditional experience.
Online Interview
- An opportunity to showcase the candidate’s passion for the area they are applying for.
- They will be asked open questions to measure knowledge about technology or business, and then some experience and scenario-based questions to get to know the apprentice as a person.
- It is not a high pressure interview as we know at this point in their career, the applicant will have limited experience.
- Pre-interview preparation is key in order for you to present your passion.
- The recruitment team is there to support you, with scheduling, time extensions, or alternative formats which can be arranged upon request for candidates with disabilities or neurodivergence.
Offer
- Successful candidates receive a conditional offer based on exam results and begin pre-joining engagement.
- This includes an activity day where you will meet other new members of our early career programme.
Jo, you were recently a finalist for Mentor of the Year at the 2026 NI Apprenticeship Awards. What was your reaction when you found out that you were shortlisted?
Being nominated for Mentor of the Year is an incredible honour and validation of the time, effort, and belief that I invest in our apprentices. It's truly a team achievement, as my success is intrinsically linked to the apprentices' growth and enthusiasm. It feels rewarding to know that the nurturing environment we strive to create, is making such a tangible difference in our apprentices’ careers.
What advice would you have for prospective applicants?
Advice from Jo
Focus on potential and attitude over pure technical experience. Show us you are genuinely curious, ready to learn rapidly, and can articulate why you want a career in financial technology.
Advice from a current CME Group Apprentice
Don't be intimidated by the finance aspect. Everyone is a beginner at some point. Get hands-on with small personal coding projects or technical hobbies. Most importantly: Be yourself in the interview. We want to see your passion, not a perfect script.
What advice would you have for other employers who are considering taking on a Degree Apprentice?
One bit of advice
Treat the apprentice as a future leader, not a temporary resource. Invest in their development and give them real responsibilities from day one. Your success with the programme depends entirely on how seriously you take their integration and professional growth. They will rise to the level of expectation you set for them.
