Greater industry collaboration needed to close the digital skills gap

Institute of Coding calls for greater industry collaboration at first annual conference. 

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is hosting its first annual conference in Manchester, attracting over 200 attendees from across the UK. The four-day event includes workshops to introduce young people to the basics of coding, along with speeches and seminars designed to bring industry and academia together to close the digital skills gap.

Key speakers include Amali de Alwis MBE, Chief Executive of Code First: Girls and IoC Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board who will be discussing digital skills training as part of a panel discussion. Anthony Impey MBE, Founder Optimity and member of the IoC Industry Advisory Board will be leading a discussion on the important role of digital degree apprenticeships.

In the last year the IoC partners have signed up over 10,000 people onto its digital skills courses and launched a £5million skills drive to increase the number of women in tech and widen access to tech training for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Speaking at the conference dinner at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), in Manchester, Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK will say:

“We are creating more jobs than we can fill.  As the digital economy continues to grow, the skills gap will only widen.

The reason the IOC exists is to bring industry together with academia to offer access to the latest training and insights into coding and digital skills. Supported by government, this work is critical for tackling the digital skills shortfall across the country and improving diversity in the tech industry.

We have big ambitions for the year ahead, including signing up new industry partnerships, increasing the number of courses on offer and helping businesses reskill existing employees with high levels of digital proficiency.”

Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said:

“Technology and the world economy are fast-changing and there is a growing demand for people with digital skills. The Institute of Coding is playing a vital role in bringing industry and academia together to create opportunities for people to get into tech.

“It is important that everyone, no matter their background, can study digital education and go on to have successful careers in the sector. The IoC conference is a great opportunity to attract new people and ensure the UK has a highly-skilled and diverse digital workforce for the future.”

About the Institute of Coding (IoC): A consortium of universities and employers, with a mission to develop the next generation of digital talent at degree level and above. The IoC will develop higher-level digital skills capabilities among those already in work as well as improve graduate employability. Its goals include developing specialist skills training in areas of strategic importance, boosting equality and diversity in technology-related education and careers and producing research, analysis and intelligence to anticipate future skills gaps.