Given the choice about how to spend their spare time, a large proportion of young people today will opt for a technology related activity. Indigo Software decided to give Newcastle and Sunderland High School children the chance to put their enthusiasm for digital technology to good use, at a special, week-long introduction to coding and IT careers experience. The event, which was created and run by members of Indigo’s software development team, took place from 20th – 24th February, during the recent half term week.
Over the course of the week, 5 young people, aged from 13 to 17, took part in what they described as an ‘amazing experience’. Indigo’s aim in designing and offering the unique experience was to help inspire children unsure of their future career paths a real-world taste of what it’s like to work in a fastgrowing software company.
Finding ways to inspire young people to consider a career in IT is essential and experts are predicting a chronic digital skills shortage by 2020. There are simply not enough young people leaving school or university with the relevant skills to meet professional demand. This issue has been formally recognised by the government, with the recent launch of the Cyber Schools Program, which focuses on inspiring young people to follow a career in cyber security.
The idea for Indigo’s Coding and IT Careers Experience was conceived by the company’s Software Development Manager, Glenn Melville. “We’re a software company so it stands to reason that we have a vast amount of experience in the business that young people can benefit from. We all wanted to give something back and at the same time, give local children access to real world software developers, show them the rewards of a career in software development, plus help make valuable contacts to get a head start in the future,” says Glenn Melville.
As a very fast evolving industry with a big skills shortage, IT offers high levels of social mobility. A key objective for Indigo’s in offering this career experience opportunity was also to provide a way for young people to have the chance to explore what a career in IT and software development can offer them. In turn, Indigo hopes it will inspire them to get the qualifications they need to open doors and potentially, provide them with practical work experience, should they pursue higher education in this sector.
“Speaking from my own personal situation, I was lucky enough to know that I wanted to pursue a career in IT at age 14 and it was a way for me to break away from my own family’s economic hardship and become successful within a profession where there were few social barriers to entry. I want to give other young people in these circumstances the same opportunities and demonstrate to them that they can do it too,” says Glenn.
“After these three days of work experience, I wish I could come back for the rest of my school holidays to learn more. As well as learning things from Mark, Tom, and Kyle, I could honestly say I could see myself working in this field, so much so, that I have decided to learn Python for myself,” says Sean Clark, a Year 10 pupil who took part in the Coding and IT Careers Experience.
Indigo Software Coding and IT Careers Experience – Program Schedule:
The week-long program created and offered by members of the Software Development Team at Indigo included the following activities:
• Introduction to software and electronics, with special case studies of logistics and supply chain applications developed by Indigo;
• Introduction to Arduino Micro Controllers, programming and operating an LED, coding with Python;
• Programming Fundamentals and creating special projects using the Arduino to program buzzers, motors, digital clocks and more;
• Hands on experience working with the Indigo Development Team.
Indigo Software will be running this scheme annually during February half term week and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in taking part in 2018. If you are interested in more information, please contact Indigo by emailing helen.taylor@indigo.co.uk
INDIGO SOFTWARE
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