A new initiative aims to transform the lives of unemployed benefit claimants by providing them with essential tech skills.
The coding school has partnered with the Adult Education Board to offer fully-funded courses in coding and cyber security, targeting those most in need.
Addressing the Digital Skills Shortage
The United Kingdom faces a significant digital skills shortage, with more than one million digital professionals required across various sectors. Providing tech education to unemployed individuals aims to bridge this gap. This initiative is set to positively impact both the job market and individuals’ lives.
The Initiative
In collaboration with the Adult Education Board, the coding school will offer courses to 500 individuals. These courses are fully funded and aimed exclusively at those currently claiming benefits. The goal is to provide these individuals with a pathway to a well-paid career in software development.
Courses Offered
Two primary courses, Develop: Coding and Develop: Cyber, have been launched.
Develop: Coding focuses on core coding principles using Javascript, essential for building websites and mobile applications. It also introduces participants to tools used by professional developers.
Develop: Cyber teaches trainees about common cyber threats and the networking principles to protect businesses legally from cyber-attacks.
Course Structure and Outcome
Both courses are designed as intensive, three-week bootcamp-style training programs. Upon completion, participants will receive a qualification equivalent to a GCSE. This certification enhances employability and opens doors to further training opportunities.
Graduates can continue their education to secure apprenticeships, eventually becoming junior software developers. Such a structured pathway ensures a sustainable career progression.
The courses focus not only on technical skills but also critical soft skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership. These are essential for success in the tech industry.
Schools and Locations
Currently, the coding school operates in Manchester and Chester, with plans to expand nationwide within the next year. This expansion will make tech education more accessible to a broader audience.
The school’s methodology is distinctive; participants are referred to as junior developers rather than students. This approach aims to instil a professional mindset from the outset.
Leadership Insights
Andy Lord, CEO of the coding school, highlighted the urgency and importance of this initiative. “Through no fault of their own, too many of the UK’s eligible workers are unemployed and unprepared for the current needs of businesses,” he stated.
Lord noted that this initiative is designed to help individuals pave a new future through well-paid careers in software development.
The program aims to provide opportunities for individuals surviving on benefits, addressing the twin issues of unemployment and the digital skills shortage.
Future Aspirations
The school aims not only to educate but also to empower individuals. The overarching goal is to provide a sustainable solution to the digital skills shortage while improving employability.
By focusing on both technical and soft skills, the school prepares its graduates for long-term success in the tech industry.
This initiative from the coding school has the potential to significantly impact the lives of unemployed benefit claimants, providing them with valuable skills for a career in tech.
Through comprehensive training and qualifications, participants are well-equipped to meet the demands of the job market, addressing both individual and industry needs.