Newcastle’s shared tech working space Campus North is to train teachers in digital skills to help plug the skills gap.
The Tech for Life programme, beginning in the autumn, is to be developed by those working in tech and delivered by digital experts.
Held at Carliol Square, where the tech hub is based, it will seek to equip teachers with coding, computing and electronic skills.
Lyndsey Britton, co-founder of Campus North, added: “The UK’s digital industries are growing faster than the wider economy and creating a record number of jobs, so we need to ensure we have the next generation with the right skills here in the north east.
“We believe it’s up to industry to lead the way in supporting teachers and getting our educators engaged in the digital world and we’re delighted to have had our experts keen to both design and deliver these courses.
“The aim is to equip teachers with skills, confidence and ideas that they can take back to share in the classroom.
“The courses are half-day and very practical, learning through a hands-on, enjoyable experience.”
Britton recently explained how Campus North helps tech start-ups at a BusinessCloud roundtable in Newcastle.
Guests also heard how Leaf.fm founder Gilbert Corrales chose Newcastle over London to base his company – the number one music app in more than 15 Latin American countries – for lifestyle reasons.
Ammar Mirza, chair of both the Progression Forum and Tyneview Governors, said: “A recent government paper highlighted that there is a digital divide where up to 12.6 million of the adult UK population lack basic digital skills.
“An estimated 5.8 million people have never used the internet at all. This digital skills gap which starts in school is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost additional GDP.
“These figures are compelling and there is an absolute need to support our future generations.
“Tech for Life has been addressing this issue and these CPD courses provide an industry led approach to support our teachers become better equipped at teaching critical tech skills.
“I would encourage all teachers to consider further developing themselves through these exciting and interactive courses.’
The courses have the backing of PIE (Primary Inspiration through Enterprise) and local education leaders.
Bookings are now being taken for the first two courses:
- Introduction to Coding – Thursday 15th September
- Introduction to Electronics – Friday 30th September