A new skills bootcamp for young people in the West Midlands launches in September, giving 18-25 year olds essential employability skills as well as direct experience of working with local employers.
Digital Innovators is running a series of five Skills Programmes, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Beat the Bots Programme, which develop sought-after skills in project management, communication, problem solving and collaboration, incorporating digital tools and techniques that can be applied to virtually any career. The programme helps young people build confidence, unlock their core strengths and learn how to apply their innate digital skills in a work environment.
Eight weeks of the 13-week bootcamp will see learners work on live business projects with employers, while mentoring support will be provided to help them make the transition to new roles.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We made the Beat the Bots fund available for training providers so workers across the West Midlands can gain invaluable digital skills, preparing them for the jobs of the future. In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, sadly many people are going to fall out of work, but re-training or improving your current skills is a great way of finding employment again quickly. The Skills Programmes being offered by Digital Innovators will help do exactly that.
“I would urge everyone of any age to look into the option of these programmes, particularly as they help teach and develop key skills that can applied across a number of careers.”
Digital Innovators has been delivering a similar programme for 16-19 year olds for over three years, in partnership with Solihull College & University Centre. The programme has delivered excellent results in improving confidence, applying digital skills and securing apprenticeships for students.
Former Digital Innovators student, Kieran, who has recently secured an apprenticeship with a local telecoms company, said: “Digital Innovators is undoubtedly the most impactful experience of my life – the confidence and skills it has given to me is incredible.”
Chris Kennedy, Junior Project Manager at Digital Innovators and former DI student, said: “Digital Innovators is very hands-on. We use fun games to teach teamwork and collaboration, and we build confidence alongside developing skills in problems solving, leadership and project management. It’s great to work with students and see them going on to secure apprenticeships, even during the pandemic.”
The first bootcamp starts on 21 September and is available to eligible participants across the WMCA area, free of charge. For more information and to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/di-skills-intro