Building Diverse Early Career Tech Talent at Scale
Summary
Hastings Direct’s partnership with Generation has delivered a high quality, diverse pipeline of early career data and tech talent, achieving high retention rate among Generation hires and enabling clear career progression, including 8 Generation promotions. By designing roles with foundation level skills in mind, embedding a supportive buddy system, and fostering inclusive leadership practices, this partnership demonstrates a replicable model for hiring, retaining, and developing talent, from those that might typically face barriers into employment.
Partner background
Hastings Direct is proud to be one of the UK’s largest and fastest‑growing providers of car, home, van and motorbike insurance. With more than 4.5 million customers, the company is proud of its data and digitally‑driven approach, offering products including Multi Car, YouDrive telematics insurance as well as personal loans.
With over 4,900 colleagues in Bexhill, Leicester, London and home-working, Hastings Direct is proud to nurture and grow talent within an inclusive, flexible and fun working environment.
“Individuals who come through this route have had a really supportive journey through Generation, giving them foundation skills, then coming into an organisation like Hastings Direct which nurtures them and has a really positive culture. They’ve found their home and our retention rate shows that.”
The Challenge
Hastings Direct recognised that onboarding diverse talent would require a more considered approach. Increasing workforce diversity was also a strategic priority, though not driven by fixed targets. Early career candidates, particularly those entering their first corporate environment, needed structured support, clear role alignment, and defined progression pathways. Without intentional design, there was a risk that promising hires could struggle to integrate or fail to realise their potential.
Hastings Direct sought a partner that could both supply diverse early career talent and support the creation of an environment where those hires could succeed, grow, and stay.
The partnership approach
The partnership began with Generation supporting London based roles. Candidates joined Hastings Direct with a strong foundation in data and technology skills developed through Generation’s intensive, job aligned training, which also emphasises employability and workplace behaviours.
A defining feature of the partnership is the Generation buddy system. Each new hire is paired with a Generation alumnus already working at Hastings Direct, regardless of team or department. This provides immediate peer support from someone who understands both the training journey and the transition into a corporate environment, helping new hires navigate informal norms and build confidence quickly.
Leaders at Hastings Direct are also engaged early to understand Generation’s training model and how best to onboard and support early career talent. This creates a consistent experience that reinforces inclusion, learning, and long-term development.
“Hastings Direct has helped me build on the skills I gained from Generation UK, shaping not just my career but also my confidence and personal growth, all while being surrounded by wonderful people in a truly supportive environment.”
Measurable impact and results
hires sourced from Generation
promotions
Retention rate
Impact Highlights
Retention
High retention rate among the 24 Generation hires. Our thorough selection process and demand-based skills training ensures that our candidates understand the role and are motivated to build their careers in the sector. Our training prioritises the most important skills for the job.
Career Progression
8 promotions to higher roles:
○ 5 from Junior Data Engineer → Data Engineer
○ 3 from Junior Risk Pricing Analyst → Risk Pricing Analyst
Data Capability
Strengthened internal data and tech capability by establishing a reliable source of foundation level talent in critical skill areas.
Work Readiness & Performance
- Leaders report that Generation graduates are well prepared for foundational roles, demonstrating strong technical skills and work readiness compared to other early-career hires.
- All hires meet or exceed expectations in their roles, particularly in data and tech functions, benefiting from the bootcamp’s focus on employability and technical capability.
Diversity, Inclusion & Social Values
- Supports Hastings Direct’s work as a growing and diverse organisation, whilst contributing to its 4Cs culture.
- While DEI and social mobility are not formally target-based, Generation hires broaden access for those that might typically face barriers into employment, reinforcing Hastings’ inclusive hiring ethos.
Strategic Value & ROI
- ROI is demonstrated through the expanded, diverse talent pool.
- The partnership enables Hastings Direct to attract candidates who might not otherwise access opportunities in data and tech.
- Strengthens Hastings Direct’s employer brand as a destination for early careers, digitally skilled, and diverse talent.
Key Success Factors
Buddy System
Generation buddy system providing peer-led support.
Effective Onboarding
Early leader engagement to set expectations and enable effective onboarding.
Inclusive Hiring
Shared commitment to inclusive hiring and long-term development.
Award-winning culture
A strong organisational culture, reinforced by Hastings Direct’s recognition as a Best Company to Work For (two years running) by Best Companies.
Partnering to Unlock Data Talent
Hastings Direct are passionate about creating opportunities for talented people from all backgrounds to kick-start careers in data.
By continuing to work closely, we’re ensuring that the best talent has access to great opportunities, regardless of background. Watch the video to see how this partnership is helping to shape the future of data at Hastings Direct.
Success Story
Senior Data Engineer Testimonial
“Our Generation hire joined my Data Engineering team, via Generation, as a Junior Data Engineer, bringing a strong foundation in Python development, gained during their training.
They quickly established themselves as a reliable, motivated colleague, with a clear willingness to learn and adapt to the pace and demands of a complex data environment.
As they progressed, they took on increasing responsibility and became a key contributor to key data processes, supporting business critical deliveries, collaborating effectively across teams, and stepping up during periods of increased workload and change, showing maturity beyond a junior role.
Their progression into a Core Data Engineer role reflects their technical growth, professionalism, and positive influence within the Data Engineering team.”
Looking forward
Hastings Direct continues to scale its early-career talent strategy through apprenticeships and graduate programmes. Generation remains a partner in diversifying and strengthening the organisation’s data and technology talent pipeline. As the partnership evolves, both organisations are exploring further opportunities to align role design, sourcing, and progression pathways to support future cohorts at Hastings Direct.
Find out more about Hastings Direct here.
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