Education technology charity Apps for Good, which teaches students to design and make problem-solving apps, has launched a fellows programme for its former students. Supported by Thomson Reuters, the programme is open to all students who have completed the Apps for Good course and aims to give them the chance to further develop their skills.
The programme was piloted with around 100 students and will now be rolled out to the 25,000 students enrolled on the charity’s course this year. As well as continuing to develop their skills, students on the programme will be able to enter competitions, get careers advice and information, gain hands-on experience in business, keep in touch with industry experts and become an ambassador for the charity.
Debbie Forster, managing director at Apps for Good, says: “Each year we help students from all over the UK transform from consumers into creators of technology. Now we want to take that even further, giving students who have taken part in Apps for Good at their school the chance to continue to build connections with our communities of corporate partners and experts, getting hands-on experience in the world of tech and business. Our aim is to build a generation of problem solvers and digital makers, ensuring young people have the confidence and skills to succeed in the 21st century, and the fellows programme will be an important part of how we achieve this mission.”
The students involved in the pilot took part in a number of activities, representing Apps for Good at Skoll World Forum, entering competitions such as Wired Next Generation and taking part in user testing for Tech Will Save Us and Plotr. This year’s cohort will take part in design teams working on the future of the fellows programme, join Apps for Good’s team of bloggers and vloggers and get work experience with partners including the Guardian, YouthNet and Ogilvy.
Bob Schukai, head of advanced product innovation at Thomson Reuters, says: “Thomson Reuters is excited to be strengthening our partnership with Apps for Good by supporting its fellows programme. My colleagues and I have been continually impressed by the dedication and skill-sets of the students we’ve worked with, so I am delighted that their talents and experience will now be utilised to help teach the next generation of young technologists. Like Apps for Good, Thomson Reuters is passionate about teaching young people business and technology skills, so we are proud to continue to support this amazing organisation.”