</Institute of Coding launches £4.8 million University skills drive>

Published on 18 February 2019 by web editor

News story

London, 18^th February, 2019 – The Institute of Coding (IoC), a consortium of universities, employers and outreach organisations, with a mission to develop the next generation of digital talent at degree level and above, has today announced the formal allocation of £2.4million of grant funding to tackle the digital skills shortfall across a wide range of areas.

The £4.8million includes £2.4m of grant funding provided by the Office for Students (OFS) and a further £2.4m of match funding from the consortium of partners that have formed the winning bids.  Allocated across six winning groups and in each case led by an academic institution, each tasked with launching bespoke courses. Funds were allocated by the IoC’s industry advisory board, consisting of 18 senior executives from leading businesses as part of a formal tender process.

Winning partners will join the existing consortium of universities, businesses, outreach organisations and professional bodies, led by the University of Bath, to further widen the joint effort of tackling the digital skills gap. Summary of funding allocations (Full details included at the bottom of this press release)

• The consortium led by The University of Leeds has secured £500,000 to launch a new programme called The IoC guide to kick starting your career with 21C skills. The courses are designed to engage, motivate and focus on digital employability skills for people in the 18 to 25 age group.

• Durham University and its group of over 16 industry partners has been awarded £517,846 to launch a new programme called TechUp: Tech retraining for underrepresented women in the Midlands and North of England. The course takes women from the Midlands and North of England, particularly from underrepresented communities, with degrees in any subject area, retrains them in technology and then gives them the opportunity to interview with a company for an internship/apprenticeship/job. 

• A group led by  the University of Chester has been allocated £155,166 for a new course named Coding for Non-Computer Science Graduates. The course will offer an innovative conversion in Data Science/machine learning/AI and entrepreneurial skills that can be undertaken by any graduate with some experience with data.

• Creative Computing Institute, University of the Arts London (UAL) is leading a collaboration to launch a new programme entitled Creative solutions to digital transformation using £581,000 of funding. The course will promote the role of creative digital technologies transforming opportunities for media, manufacturing and engineering businesses.

• Birkbeck University and partners have been given £222,420 in funding for a course in Computing for the Cultural Heritage sector. The new programme will enable professionals across the cultural heritage sector of Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) to improve their digital skills.

• £420,000 of funding will be allocated to Coventry University and its collaboration of industry partners for the development of an online pilot site, designed to provide signposting for learners for Institute of Coding initiatives, courses and opportunities in England.

Combined these new courses estimate to train tens of thousands of learners who will be able to start on the courses during the next 12 – 18 months.

Chris Millward, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students comments:

“This funding is a key part of our work to address skills gaps and improve graduate employability, particularly for students from groups who are under-represented or disadvantaged. Digital skills are vital for the economy, now and in the future, which is why we are backing this important initiative to boost equality and diversity in STEM education, develop the workforce that employers will need to meet future digital challenges, and open up the jobs of the future to graduates from all backgrounds.”

Sheila Flavell, Chair, IoC Industry Advisory Board comments:

“These courses will give thousands of people access to high quality learning opportunities and practical support at a time when employers need it most. Our extensive programmes, built in partnership with industry leaders, will widen access to the technology industry, spreading opportunity to people from a range of diverse backgrounds and strengthen our digital economy at a crucial time.”