Pros
Good first step on the career ladder in times of limited choice. Access to the big banks. I've heard positive things about the academy culture in Manchester but never been there. Software developer training was pretty good when I did it, and greatly improved when I returned to the academy after a contract ended. Some very good contracts are available if you manage to build rapport with an effective member of the sales team, but this is very challenging due to the way they treat consultants as cattle. Rapid expansion of the business.
Cons
Trainees and mounties on-site are treated like greatly despised children. Constant threats of disciplinary action for nonsensical sleights. Poor pay, below market rate. I was forced out of the company by an aggressive head of sales for having aspirations to move to a particular city. The head of engineering and training at the time denied this was true but did nothing to stop it. In the end, I was offered an ultimatum: accept a contract in London or tender my resignation. Rapid expansion is a double-edged sword. They discard many new recruits if they fail to land a contract. I believe they deliberately set the hiring bar too low to massage the publicity figures.