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Home | Find a course | Click Start by TechUPWomen in IT Skills 2024
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Click Start by TechUPWomen in IT Skills 2024

Do you identify as a woman or non-binary? Are you 18-40? Do you live in the North or North East of England? Click Start gives you IT skills that can open-up new opportunities and help you get better pay.

Only 29% of tech employees are women or non-binary - be part of the change for a more balanced future!
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This course is brought to you by:

Free to eligible students
Short Course
Provider:
Durham University
Course length:
6 weeks/ 12 weeks
Delivery method:
Blended
Price:
Free to eligible students
Start date: 1st February
Subjects: Computer Science, Data Analytics, DevOps, Digital Marketing, Digital Skills, Project, Python, Software Development, User Experience Design, User Interface Design
Age range: 18-40

Want to open-up new opportunities and get better pay? Whatever you want to do, digital skills help you do it better. Most jobs now need digital skills. And you can learn them. Take the course in your free time and get the start you want with Click Start.

  • FREE 6 week and 12 week courses
  • The IT skills every industry needs
  • Employability skills to open-up new opportunities
  • Flexible in your free time

This course is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC), a national collaboration of universities, employers and charities and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company and guardians of the .UK namespace.

The programme, which launched in 2023, helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country who may not have previously had opportunities.

If you sign up to a Click Start programme, you’ll also get access to GetMyFirstDigitalJob, an online platform designed to help you find and land a digital job. It’s your new hub for jobs, support, and guidance for your digital career.

You’ll get access to job opportunities from employers looking for fresh talent, and a dedicated careers coach who’ll give you one-on-one support to guide you through your job search journey. There’s also learning modules to boost your employability skills in the areas you need them most, and exclusive live events where you can get your questions answered by experts from across the digital industry.

There’s never been a better reason to join a Click Start programme!

GetMyFirstDigitalJob was built by BCS and The Talent People to support the Click Start programme.

Click Start is designed to support under-represented groups. The aim is to give you the digital skills you need to find new opportunities. Or get better pay. Or simply do what you want to do in life.

For a FREE place, check if the following criteria apply to you:

  • You are resident and eligible to work in the UK
  • You identify as a woman or non-binary.
  • You are aged 18-40
  • You live in the North or North East of England
  • You hold GCSE level Maths and English (or equivalent)

If you are not eligible for this programme, you may be eligible for our other courses. Take a look at our Click Start course listings to find the course that’s best for you.

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What will I learn?

Click Start will give you a strong foundation in general IT and IT support skills. It will prepare you for the workplace and can help you get onto an entry level role. It will also equip you the skills you need to go into further education or training and aims to set you up for a level 3 or 4 apprenticeship. In addition, it will give you a taster of possible digital career paths to help you find your next steps.

The 6-week course is for those who would prefer to study at pace:

  • 8 hours per week live online learning
  • 4 hours per week independent study

The 12-week course is ideal for those who need to study alongside other commitments:

  • 4 hours per week live online learning
  • 2 hours per week independent study

This programme is now accepting applicants for 2025. The start date will be February 1st 2025. You can apply on the TechUPWomen website and someone will be in touch. 

  1. Introduction to course
  2. Fundamental computer skills
  3. IT Support Role 1 – qualities, calls, actions, cybersecurity and SFIA
  4. IT Support Role 2 – troubleshooting & diagnostics, ticketing systems, customer relationship management
  5. IT Support Role 3 – testing, collaborating and training
  6. IT Support Role 4 – DevOps, Project Management/Agile methodology, QA, accessibility, time management
  7. Introduction to coding and Software Development 1
  8. Introduction to coding and Software Development 2
  9. Introduction to User Research/Design
  10. Introduction to Digital Marketing & Web Design
  11. Introduction to Data Analysis
  12. Course review

  • Teamwork
  • Tech career pathways
  • Technical CVs and digital badges
  • Responsive cover letters
  • Elevator pitches and selling yourself
  • Mentoring
  • Job search skills
  • Interview skills
  • Presentation skills, group interviews, and assessment days
  • Preparation for work

In addition to the taught content, all courses include:

  • Weekly webinars with industry guest speakers
  • In-person training events at Durham University
  • Access to online learning portal
  • Personalised pastoral support, provided by Catch22
  • One-to-one industry mentor
  • Job support from Catch22 to help find and apply for jobs, apprenticeships and internships at the end of the programme
  • Careers fair in Durham
Visit this course

FAQS

All you need is an open mind. You don’t need experience and you don’t need to have been to university. All you need is curiosity and be ready to learn new things. Maybe you want a new direction? Maybe you want to upskill? Maybe you want a raise or promotion in your current role? Click Start gives you the head start you need.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, then it’s completely free. And no, there’s no catch. This programme has been developed in partnership with the Institute of Coding and has been funded by Nominet to help reduce the UK’s digital skills gap.

Bursaries will also be available for support with travel costs for all in person events.

As well as access to first-class learning and programme support, you’re also provided with an online portal and career coaching, to ensure you get the personal support you need.

On completion of the programme, your new-found digital skills will be recognised with a certificate from Click Start and the Durham University’s TechUP Initiative.

 

TechUPWomen is a multi award winning, trailblazing programme developed closely with industry, which takes women from underserved groups and retrains them into tech careers. It is aimed at

  • Women and non-binary people, aged 18-40yrs, with priority given to those aged 18-30
  • People resident in the North and North East of England

This course is suitable for those wishing to pursue a career requiring a sound understanding of the principles and practical applications of computing. The majority of our Computer Science graduates find stimulating and rewarding positions in computing related activities with suppliers and users or within a wide range of careers for which a university degree is a prerequisite.

This course is run by TechUP, in collaboration with Durham University and support from Catch 22. The Click Start programme was developed by the Institute of Coding and is funded by Nominet.

Free to eligible students
Short Course
Provider:
Durham University
Course length:
6 weeks/ 12 weeks
Delivery method:
Blended
Price:
Free to eligible students
Start date: 1st February
Subjects: Computer Science, Data Analytics, DevOps, Digital Marketing, Digital Skills, Project, Python, Software Development, User Experience Design, User Interface Design
Age range: 18-40
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