Government launches £2.3m funding for digital skills in higher education

Today (August 29), the Institute of Coding (IoC) has announced a £2.3m fund for groups to help reduce the digital skills gap.

The new fund - provided by the Office for Students - will be allocated between five and 10 successful bidding groups, all of which must propose clear plans to improve access to digital skills education, and enhance graduate employability and employment outcomes.

Groups applying for the fund must include at least one higher education provider with existing course provision in computer science or information technology and at least one industry partner.

Bids can include industry partners, other higher education providers, other employers, business partners and professional or outreach organisations.

Sheila Flavell, chair of IOC Industry Advisory Board, said: “This new fund provides an exciting opportunity for the creation of high quality STEM courses for the next generation of graduates.

“At a time when the UK’s digital industry is playing such a vital role in economic growth and job creation, it’s absolutely critical that we extend access to technical education to as many young people as possible, from all walks of life.”

Other key areas include supporting the development of broader employability skills; transitioning into work and engaging employers actively in curriculum design to ensure its alignment with the industry.

Dr Rachid Hourizi, director at the Institute of Coding, added: “Gaining access to high quality education and training is absolutely critical to tackling the UK’s digital skills shortfall.

“The IoC’s new fund will enable academic institutions and industry organisations to work together, developing cutting edge education to promote digital excellence and improve the technical skills for a new generation of workers.

“This initiative is the latest in a wide array of activity from the IoC to launch new services and spread digital skills across the country.”

The deadline for proposals is noon on Monday November 26, 2018. The funding allocated is to be spent between January 31, 2019 and January 31, 2020. No extension will be given to this end date.

The first town hall meeting - organised in partnership with CPHC - to discuss the detail of the fund and application process will take place on September 5, 2018 at UCL University, with a further meeting on October 16, 2018 at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Institute of Coding is a £20m government investment funded through the Office for Students and is match funded from investment through partners.