Women and non-binary people are being invited to apply for a free, award-winning IT training course delivered in partnership by Catch22 and Durham University. This programme aims to bridge the digital skills gap in the North.
This course is being provided by TechUPWomen and is part of the wider Click Start programme, developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) and funded by Nominet. It’s aimed in particular at women and non-binary North and North East residents who are interested in a career in tech but have experienced barriers to education and the workplace.
The new 12-week programme launches on Saturday 22 April and involves a combination of weekly live online learning, independent study and in-person events at Durham University. The course provides:
- a foundation in IT skills,
- IT support skills,
- specialist career taster sessions, and
- tailored tutoring in areas such as public speaking, communication and team-working.
This makes it ideal for those who may have missed out on higher or further education, or who are looking to take their first steps into a tech career via an apprenticeship or entry level role.
Victoria Head, Strategic Director of Employability and Skills said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the tech opportunities on offer for women in the North. We are thrilled to be able to expand the support we offer at Catch22, enabling more people from underserved communities to move into digital careers.”
The course is part of the new nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) and funded by Nominet. The Institute of Coding , led by the University of Bath, is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education. Through this collaborative approach, Institute of Coding partners have created more than 150 new courses that have engaged over 900,000 diverse learners to date.
Nominet is a public benefit company, driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For 25 years, Nominet has, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics that is used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Our social impact programme provides funding, support, and opportunities to help tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.
The new programme is rolling out through 2023, helping to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country.