NextGen Academy Newbury

Ignite your career with Rocket Software

NextGen

Launch your career with our NextGen Academy 

Join our Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) and Enterprise Suite product teams and work on enterprise software used by many of the world's largest organisations. You'll contribute to developing compilers, IDE integrations, runtime APIs, and mainframe emulation environments—building tools that support business-critical applications across Windows, Unix, Linux, Containers, and the Cloud.

As part of a collaborative, agile team, you'll learn from experienced engineers and gain hands-on experience with a variety of technologies. No prior COBOL experience is required—our structured training programme will provide you with the foundation you need to succeed.

If you're passionate about technology and coding, we’re excited to welcome you as the next generation of Rocketeers!

Open positions

Currently, all applications for the 2025 UK Academy are closed. 

However, we are always looking for new talent to join our team. Check out our careers page to learn more.

 

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At the academy, you'll get

  • Structured training: Kick off with 3 months of in-depth technical learning to gain the skills you need to excel.
  • Immediate contribution: Work alongside experienced engineers on live projects that shape the future of our COBOL and enterprise technologies.
  • Future growth: Upon completing your initial 3 months of training, you’ll transition to a permanent role with opportunities for continuous career development.

Applicants should posses

  • Academic excellence: A 2:1 or higher in an engineering-related degree (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics).
  • Passion for coding: A genuine enthusiasm for programming and a desire to learn new technologies.
  • Innovative mindset: Motivation, curiosity, and readiness to embrace challenges head-on.

If you’re excited about coding, teamwork, and exploring new technologies, apply now to start your adventure with us!

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Hear from our recent graduates and team members

Marta Miret Badia

The first month of in-person induction for the COBOL allowed me to meet and build strong bonds with the rest of the grads, friendships that are still maintained today. Working in small teams on different assignments gave us the chance to share knowledge and learn from one another, creating a highly collaborative and supportive environment."

Marta Miret Badia NextGen Academy graduate
Erin Erturan

My favorite thing about the culture is how we all support each other. This was true from the very beginning, when we spent time in a number of different teams, learning from great engineers. We like to have fun, too—our Hack week is definitely a highlight!"

Erin Erturan NextGen Academy graduate
Ryan Skelton

What I enjoy most so far about working here is the people and the complexity of Rocket Software’s offerings, which I like working on.
I’ve met a wide range of brilliant people, and understanding their culture, environment, and work-life balance really mirrors the company’s core values, which is great to see."

Ryan Skelton NextGen Academy graduate
image of Neil smiling

With NextGen Academy, we’re building new pathways for young professionals entering the IT industry. It’s not just about training – it’s about empowering the next generation to make meaningful impact from day one, with the confidence and skills to tackle real-world challenges. "

Neil Fowler SVP of Hybrid Engineering and Chair of NextGen Academy Board Rocket Software