Codez Academy continues mission to close Welsh digital skills gap

Aims to close the growing digital skills gap in Wales are continuing thanks to the launch of a program to get adults equipped with the latest tech knowledge.

Codez Academy, which is based in Penarth, has just launched a new scheme to help adults secure work in the digital world. It’s thought that 2 million high-paying jobs will emerge from the UK tech sector within the next five years.

From October onwards, it’ll be running a three-month evening course for individuals at its base in co-working space Tec Marina. It’ll improve their employability prospects and overall digital capabilities, aiding the Welsh tech sector.

The company also wants to address the lack of females working in the UK and Welsh tech industries. According to 2015 figures, only 27 per cent of those employed in the sector were women – below the UK average of 47 per cent.

Dean Jenkins, managing director of the firm, said he wants to help people get into high-growth tech jobs by improving their digital skills and to aid the growth of Wales’s flourishing tech industry.

“We are working to give our students the digital skills required to be able to reach these high-flying roles and ultimately grow the digital sector in Wales. In 2015 it was revealed that only 62% of adults have the five basic digital skills and are working to change that, one student at a time,” he said.

“Coding has become an essential qualification in an increasingly digital world and is now considered almost as important as traditional core subjects by employers. This course will provide a step-by-step guide to help students prepare for a new career or simply to develop in their current one.”

Students don’t need any digital experience to take part on the course. It’s been designed to introduce basic coding concepts behind the creation of apps, websites, games and other platforms.

>By the end of it, they should have an understanding of the basics of web design and construction. To reach this point. they’ll be expected to complete two tasks: a one-page website and a five-page website.

Dean added: “Ultimately, we want all of our learners to feel confident learning new skills and we will support them 100% the whole way through, to help them achieve whatever their aims might be.”