Code First Girls (CFG) has announced that BAE Systems will sponsor its CFGdegree programme.
The 13-week course will see 15 students sponsored to acquire the skills needed to embark on a career in software engineering, with mentoring support and guest lecture spots provided by BAE.
Once students have graduated, they will have the option of being fast-tracked into a BAE Systems graduate recruitment scheme, and the possibility of joining the company as junior software engineers.
Established in 2012, CFG now claims to be the largest provider of free coding courses for women in the UK, with more than £40 million worth of technology education delivered to date.
News of the agreement with BAE Systems follows last year’s announcement from CFG that it was strategically partnering with the likes of Rolls-Royce’s R² Data Labs, BT and Dell Technologies.
The future success of our business depends on us having a diverse workforce – Theresa Palmer, BAE
“We are excited to announce our partnership with BAE Systems, providing women across the UK with access to free tech education, training and full-time employment, with such a respected and ambitious employer,” said Anna Brailsford, CEO at CFG.
“Code First Girls is committed to giving women the fair advantage, and this support from BAE Systems helps us to continue to close the tech gender gap, teaching over 60,000 women to code for free.”
The potential for course takers to enter BAE Systems’ graduate recruitment scheme will help the company in its ambition to have a UK workforce more than £30% female by 2030.
“The future success of our business depends on us having a diverse workforce, and the partnership with Code First Girls helps us to raise awareness about the career opportunities for women in our sector and provide young women from diverse backgrounds with the skills they’ll need to succeed,” said Theresa Palmer, head of diversity and inclusion, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.
The CFGdegree programme begins on 23 May and runs through to September. Applications are now closed, but future courses can be applied to here.