News and Views

An exciting new Skills Bootcamp in Coding is launching in September with up to 20 funded places available. CODE Cumbria is a flexible programme delivered by Scale-Ability that creates opportunities in digital employment and addresses the skills shortages within the tech sector through the delivery of a Digital Skills Bootcamp.

Combining technical skills learning with practical industry experience, the programme teaches individuals how to code in just 12 weeks, with the aim of creating a new generation of digital talent. Open to all residents in Cumbria aged 19 and over, the 12-week programme is for people who would like to progress in the tech industry and reach a Junior Developer level. It is fully funded by the Department of Education and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.

Caitlin Bourne, Programme Success Manager at Scale-Ability said:

“CODE Cumbria can offer many opportunities to local tech employers. It's a great way for employers to find future talent for their business. Learners that come through CODE Cumbria are driven and passionate about working in tech with the ability and commitment to learning and developing. Whilst they are still developing their tech skills, they offer a plethora of other skills developed through their previous careers which can be invaluable to your business. We encourage local tech companies to have a say in what we teach our learners, to make sure when they are job ready that they meet business’s needs. If that wasn't enough opportunity businesses can also enrol their current employees on the programme to upskill if they have a skills gap that needs filling”.

CODE Cumbria aims to change the shape of the tech industry. They will be hosting a ‘Meet the Employer’ event where tech employers who are recruiting at a junior level now or in the near future can meet potential candidates. Scale-Ability also have the capability to deliver workshops for employers and hiring managers to provide support in areas including recruitment, onboarding, engagement and retention strategies.

Naomi Morgan, Skills Bootcamp Programme Manager at the Cumbria LEP said:

“We are at an exciting time with Skills Bootcamps offering businesses in Cumbria the opportunity to gain new funded qualifications for their staff, designed to help them to gain in-demand skills and take on new responsibilities in the workplace. In addition, there is also the opportunity for businesses looking to recruit new staff through the programme as it is also open to those seeking to train for a new career. I would encourage any business looking to engage with any of the Skills Bootcamp programmes to get in touch; to help support the recruitment process but additionally to inform the future of the programme”.

Paul Foster, Head of Programmes at the Cumbria LEP said:

“We encourage businesses and potential learners to sign up to this programme as soon as possible as over half the provision has been allocated. The Skills Bootcamp funding has proved hugely successful this year with more and more businesses coming on board, if you haven’t yet explored whether your business can benefit from accessing this heavily subsidised support then get in touch as soon as possible as places are going fast.”

Skills Bootcamps offer flexible training of up to 16 weeks, giving adults aged 19+ the opportunity to upskill or retrain in sector-specific skills including digital training, construction, project management, logistics and green skills.

Up to 300 places are available now - backed by government funding as part of the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. The Guarantee aims to ensure employers have access to the skilled workforce they need, and that more people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future.

Skills Bootcamps will be co-funded by the employer, where the employer is training their own existing employees. If the employer is a large business (over 250 employees) they will contribute 30% of costs with SMEs (less than 250 employees) contributing 10%. There will not be any charges to the individual participants and as such, self-employed learners are completely funded.

For more information on Skills Bootcamps and current available provision visit our Skills Bootcamps page, or email naomi.morgan@thecumbrialep.co.uk to find out more about current availability and future plans.