February event at Northumbria University opened by Chi Onwurah MP who supports initiative that seeks to address tech diversity and the skills gap in Tyne and Wear
QA is teaching the nation to code through a series of free coding workshops. Targeted at career changers and graduates, the sessions aim to inspire young people to pursue careers in tech and software development.
The free interactive workshops have been developed and delivered by industry experts from QA and each place on the workshop is worth £1,425 per delegate. Aimed at inspiring a new generation of coders and developers, the content of these sessions has been developed around the current UK digital skills shortages and is delivered in hands-on workshops that make it easy to learn technical skills regardless of students' backgrounds.
The free courses run until April, and the Northumbria event will be the third in a programme being rolled out nationally:
Dates: 23-24 February; 30-31 March; and 27-29 April
Times: 10am – 4pm
The February event was fully booked, with 110 registered to attend and 40% female delegates.
Managing Director of QA Consulting, Stuart Martin, said:
"We are delighted that Chi Onwurah MP will be attending our Teach the Nation to Code event to promote tech careers and diversity within tech. The event is in partnership with Northumbria University and Institute of Coding where we will be running a series of workshops giving individuals the opportunity to learn Python, Java and JavaScript.
It is crucial that we address the UK skills gap with the tech sector in particular needing to attract more women and diversity. Chi is an incredible inspiration as an electrical engineer and we look forward to her insights as the Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy."
Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy and MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, Chi Onwurah MP, said:
"Educational investment, such as these free Teach the Nation to Code programmes, that address the skills gaps in the local, regional and national economy are vital to the UK industrial strategy and social mobility. As an electrical engineer myself I am keenly aware that the tech sector suffers from a lack of diversity and I applaud initiatives that have increasing women and minorities as a key driver. It is a great opportunity for those that can't afford to pay for coding training and are interested in the sector to apply to attend. The tech sector is an area of massive economic growth and you may just discover a new fulfilling career path."
Fellow MP, Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) will address attendees at the April session.
More information can be found at:
QA Consulting's Graduate Programme: www.qa.com/graduate-programme
The Northumbria University Teach the Nation to Code series: www.qa.com/teach-the-nation-to-code-northumbria-feb-19
The national Teach the Nation to Code initiative: www.qa.com/teach-the-nation-to-code
Notes to Editors
QA is the UK's leading IT and business skills providers, specialising in training, consultancy, apprenticeships and post graduate degrees on a range of technical and leadership subjects. With 22 UK-wide training centres – from state-of-the-art Apprenticeships and Consulting Academies, to University campuses and flexible online learning provision, QA offers an unparalleled portfolio of learning solutions to both private and public sector organisations.
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