Code Institute, provider of online software development programmes, has invested £1m in the launch of a new coding curriculum, complete with specialisations that seek to address the digital divide and place graduates in professional roles quickly and efficiently.
The programme launch is timely as the demand for working professionals equipped with digital skills has never been greater, with 60% of UK businesses saying their reliance on digital technology is set to increase. Despite this, the number of young people participating in digital training is declining.
Additionally, this week sees the return of National Coding Week (13–17 September) in the UK – a volunteer-led annual project that supports coding education. Since the initiative’s 2014 launch, there has been a significant surge in employment opportunities, with front-end developer roles now set to grow 15% by 2026.
Code Institute‘s Diploma in Full Stack Software Development offers a pathway for those either looking to upskill or embark on a new career in the field, regardless of experience.
It encourages candidates to retrain and makes coding accessible, with 60% of its participants being over the age of 35 and coming from diverse backgrounds, such as hospitality and healthcare. The Institute’s university accreditation means the qualification is recognised by today’s employers.
“Our employment partners are crying out for FullStack Developers with a knowledge of eCommerce, Advanced Front End, and Predictive Analytics. These are seriously in-demand skills right now” – Jane Gormley, Code Institute
The curriculum is reviewed by industry experts every six months, is built to address the top skills shortages facing the economy and is validated by more than 1,000 hiring partners in Europe. It’s one of the only programmes of its kind to teach python, react, agile development and design thinking, on top of covering the fundamentals of HTML/CSS and Javascript.
Jane Gormley, director of employment services at Code Institute, commented: “Traditionally, the teaching of software development and coding has not been encouraged throughout education, leaving us with a generational skills gap in the tech industry. With Britain getting back to work our focus is to match our students to employers where they can thrive.
“Our employment partners are crying out for FullStack Developers with a knowledge of eCommerce, Advanced Front End, and Predictive Analytics. These are seriously in-demand skills right now. Code Institute’s curriculum is the most advanced out there, giving students not only the tools to change their career, but also to excel and become a valuable member of any software team from day one.
In other news: UK edtech market expected to reach £3.4bn this year