North West-based Code Nation reaches major milestone – successfully training one coder every two days since 2017

Code Nation has reached a major milestone this month as the pioneering digital education provider has now trained 300 coders and cyber security experts across its campuses – a rate of one new coder every other day.

The school, which boasts campuses across the North West in Manchester and Chester, and has imminent plans to expand into the South of the country leads the way in closing the digital skills gap and raising employment rates. 

Andy Lord, Founder of Code Nation, was working in the recruitment industry when he noticed disconnection between the digital skills that employers were increasingly requiring, and the lack of skills potential candidates had. 

Recognising the need to close this digital skills shortage and remove the gender gap in STEM, he set up Code Nation to help people from all walks of life not only learn this highly desired knowledge but importantly connect them with amazing companies to make the most of career opportunities.

Reaching 300 coders is a huge milestone for Code Nation as a startup company that was only founded in 2017, not least because it proves the demand for people to learn these new skills, but it also shows what can be achieved when the right resources and training is available. 

As well as offering courses in coding, cyber security and iOS development, Code Nation works with a network of pledgers – businesses who help course graduates find jobs. These pledgers include BBC, Manchester Digital, AO.com and Code.

Its 300th graduate is Chester-based Kyle Trotter who recently completed the Code Nation Master Course. Kyle was offered a scholarship on the coding course and is now a Junior Developer for job seekers website Zoek. Zoek uses AI and machine learning to match candidates to jobs, and Kyle is helping to develop and manage this technology. During his interview with the company, Kyle impressed the lead developer with his advanced knowledge and understanding of coding and technology, which he had gained during the course. 

Kyle said: “I have always been interested in IT but I really struggled to find a career that was exciting and enabled me to be creative in my approach. Being offered the scholarship with Code Nation gave me the perfect foundation to develop my IT skills so that I can contribute my ideas and knowledge to progressive technology, both now and into the future. 

“It’s amazing to be working at the forefront of the digital field and to be establishing my professional reputation as an expert.”

Andy Lord added: “It is a known fact that ‘UK PLC’ will soon see the consequences of the digital skills gap and that is why we are working hard with both individuals and businesses to make sure that as many people as possible, are trained and in place.  

“Most organisations recognise that a smooth transition to digital is no longer optional, but an essential part of strategic growth. Our ambition has always been to provide the most up to date education for individuals who may not have otherwise thought of IT as a career, teaching areas such as cyber security, data analysis and AI, and then match people with businesses who have the very real demand for such skills.

“This milestone is big news – with over 90% of graduates placed in roles, they are now playing a huge role in the future proofing of both our local and UK-wide economy.”

Recent graduate Kyle Trotter has become Code Nation’s 300th graduate!

Kyle, who recently completed the Code Nation Master Course, had always had an interest in IT but had struggled to find a career that enabled him to be creative in his approach. 

Earlier this year he undertook his scholarship at our Manchester campus and has since scored his dream role as a Junior Developer for job seekers’ website, Zoek.

During his interview with the company, Kyle impressed the lead developer with his advanced knowledge and understanding of coding and technology, which he had gained during the course. He was able to include this experience within his portfolio, which made him stand out and helped with this new career win.

Here he tells us about how his new role is going and how his Code Nation scholarship gave him the perfect platform to develop his digital skills.

“It’s amazing to be working at the forefront of the digital field with Zoek, a business that uses AI and machine learning to match candidates to jobs. I have been given the opportunity to develop and manage this technology, each day practically contributing my ideas and the knowledge that I gained on my Code Nation course.

“For me, undertaking the Code Nation Master Course has been about using my interest and previous background in IT, to learn new digital skills and ensure that I am working at the forefront of this field. The course has given me a great foundation of knowledge, on which I continue to build every day. It certainly opened the door to a job that is interesting, but importantly will provide loads of opportunities for me in the future.”