Member Article

North East Code apprentices get help from Google...

A LEADING North East training provider has teamed up with Google to help tackle the region’s digital skills gap.

Code, based at Bridge House, Sunderland, provides training in software development, digital marketing, cyber security and IT through advanced apprenticeships with top companies in the North East, such as Vertu Motors Plc, TT2 and Master Debonair.

And last week the company teamed up with industry leaders, Google, to run a coding masterclass.

The day involved teaching the apprentices the principles of coding and was led by experts in the industry, with apprentices gaining invaluable knowledge and skills to help them in their future careers.

Code opened its doors to Google Digital Garage in an ongoing battle to close the digital skills gap, supporting local talent within the marketing industry.

Last year, research carried out by *Deloitte found that: “Only 12 per cent of leaders believe UK school leavers and graduates have the right digital skills, down from 20 per cent who said the same in 2017.”

CEO and founder of Code, Simon Howatson said: “Combating the digital skills gap is something that I see as imperative.

“It is because of this that I feel it is of paramount importance that I do all I can to ensure that my apprentices gain off-the-job training and expertise that they deserve.

“I am delighted that a company like Google has this shared vision and want to work with us to tackle the digital skills gap together.”

Rachael Scollen, a digital marketing apprentice at AR Controls Ltd, was one of the participants in the session.

“It’s an honour to be taught an amazing skill by one of the biggest companies in the world, Google,” she said.

“Coding, in our day and age, is a huge skill required by the vast majority of modern and progressive companies looking to be successful. It was a really exciting opportunity.”

Speaking about Google’s newly formed partnership with Code, Kevan Dix, a Google Digital Garage coach from Good Things Foundation said it had been a fruitful event.

“We’ve had a great day with Code’s apprentices and passing our knowledge onto them, hopefully making a difference to the local community and ensuring that we do our bit to challenge the digital skills gap, an issue that finally seems to be considered as importantly as it should be.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .