Peckham's digital skills boost for black & ethnic minorities

The Institute of Coding, alongside the University of Arts London (UAL), UK Black Tech and the London Borough of Southwark, has announced a unique collaboration to offer digital training for individuals from black and ethnic minority backgrounds in south London. The partnership is set to promote digital skills via the Click Start Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone (DAZ), a programme developed by the Institute of Coding as part of a larger national scheme funded by public benefit company Nominet.

Throughout a span of 11 months, the cohort is expected to provide comprehensive digital training to 200 South London residents aged between 18 to 30, who belong to black and ethnic minority communities. Focused on the needs of the ongoing digital transformation in Southwark and beyond, it endeavours to place and guide learners in the industry. This initiative is dedicated to those with a passion or a basic understanding of tech and are looking for employment or earning below 25,000 pounds.

The specific 15-week programmes will be conducted from UAL's purpose-built community incubator unit, based in Peckham. The opportunities for local tech enthusiasts to apply the skills acquired through the course are expected to create a direct and lasting impact on the local economy and community.

UAL's Creative Computing Institute will offer full accreditation for the training, equipping learners with the necessary skills for roles in sectors such as web development and artificial intelligence. The programme will utilise UAL and Southwark's unique scheme which pairs 30 South London businesses with graduates, aiding the development of business partnerships and connections to the UK tech sector.

To date, over one million varied learners have enrolled onto the programmes at the Institute of Coding, a national consortium comprising of educators, industry and outreach providers. The partnership initiative aims that at least 50% of learners enter employment. In addition, the collaboration will focus on outreach and establishing stronger employer relationships in the coming six months.

Professor Rachid Hourizi MBE, Director of the Institute of Coding, said "Our work very much focuses on helping a larger and more diverse group of learners into digital careers, breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone - regardless of background – has the opportunity to improve their skills." He further stated, "This innovative partnership draws on the University of the Arts London expertise and business connections, resulting in hundreds of people from under-represented groups in Peckham achieving new skills, gaining access to multiple pathways to employment across the industry and becoming a vital part of the solution to the UK's digital skills gap."

Assistant Professor Mark Martin MBE, Co-Founder of UKBlackTech, stated that "UKBT supports, promotes, represents and encourages the continued growth of diverse innovators and we believe that ensuring everyone has access to digital skills training will help the UK to compete on the digital stage. The more diverse the tech industry is, the better – we need a rich variety of voices to drive it forward and we're delighted to work with UAL and the Institute of Coding to give the people of Peckham the opportunities they deserve."