200 people to receive free cloud, cyber, data and software training as part of South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SELEP) £4.4 million COVID-19 Recovery Fund
Two hundred under-represented, under employed and unemployed people from across the South East, will have the opportunity to retrain for a career in the tech industry as part of a new partnership between the TechTalent Academy and the South East LEP. The new initiative is part of SELEP’s £2 million digital skills programme, funded by its £4.4 million COVID-19 Recovery Fund Programme.
Free to people in the area who have faced barriers to entry to the tech industry, such as their socio-economic circumstances or gender, and those who have become unemployed due to the pandemic, the full and part-time remote courses give people the chance to gain skills and industry accreditation in one of the following areas: Cloud computing (AWS Re/Start Programme), Cyber, Data or Software.
Launching on July 12th, the South East LEP and TechTalent Academy digital skills programme courses are led by trainers with current industry experience to focus learning on relevant, ‘real-world’ problems as well as the academic and soft skills needed to succeed in the tech sector.
South East LEP Chief Executive Adam Bryan said:
“The launch of the digital skills programme will be a key part of economic recovery for the South East, providing people with the chance to retrain for a new career in the burgeoning tech sector where growth and opportunity are plentiful. Through our networks and intelligence, we know what skills are needed and where the real employment opportunities for the future will be.
“Another key focus of this programme is to enable people in under-represented and marginalised groups to access a sector which may previously have been out of bounds. Benefitting the tech industry at the same time by plugging the skills gap and bringing a much more diverse workforce on board.”
Working closely with employers to provide a clear path to employment post accreditation, TechTalent Academy has already successfully re-trained over 400 people in the South West and Midlands with many securing entry-level tech roles at leading national and international tech companies upon graduation.
TechTalent Academy CEO Janice Rae said:
“We are so excited to be part of the South East LEP’s digital skills programme and with the opportunity to help even more people upskill and find a fulfilling, new career in the tech sector. Many people we work with may not have considered or been able to get into tech to date and we actively encourage applicants from under-represented and minority communities. We will also have a number of free full and part time courses in data, software and cyber launching from September specifically for women, who remain a hugely under-represented minority in the tech sector.
“What’s made our courses so successful in other parts of the UK for people that have taken part is that it’s not training for training’s sake. We have strong relationships with employers with the focus on our candidates working in the sector once they’ve got their accreditation. With eight full and part time courses for up to 200 people in cloud, data, software and cyber taking place across the region in the next six months, I’d encourage any potential employers to get in touch as soon as possible to make the most of this incredible talent pipeline.”
No previous experience in the tech sector is necessary to take part in the South East LEP and TechTalent Academy digital skills programme, with full and part-time courses taking place over the next six months of between 8 and 26 weeks in duration.
To register your interest in a course and to view the full candidate criteria visit: https://techtalent.academy/selep-digital-skills-programme/
For employers interested in finding out more about working with the TechTalent Academy, please contact janice@techtalent.academy