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TechUPWomen

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TechUPWomen

A multi award winning, trailblazing programme developed closely with industry, which takes women from underserved groups and retrains them into tech careers

Ongoing programme: Click Start by TechUPWomen

Waiting list for 2024Opens new window

Our flagship, jobs-focused TechUPWomen programme at Durham University retrains women from underserved communities into tech careers

Professor Sue Black

An entry level programme to start a career in the tech sector

What is Click Start?

  • Flexible: independent study time, recorded sessions for catch-up, and tutor support via email or online learning community
  • Developed with tech industry specialists
  • Delivered with our specialist partner, Catch22
  • For women and non-binary people, aged 18-30yrs
  • For people resident in the North and North East of England

Course Format

The programme consists of four 6-week and 12-week courses that provide IT and IT support skills, specialist career-path taster sessions, and workplace readiness preparation. This involves:

  • 4 or 8 hours (1 or 2 days) per week live online learning
  • 2 or 4 hours per week independent study

In addition to the taught content, the courses include:

  • Weekly webinars with industry guest speakers
  • In-person training events at Durham University
  • Access to online learning portal
  • Personalised pastoral support, provided by Catch22
  • One-to-one industry mentor
  • Job support (provided by Catch22) to help find and apply for jobs, apprenticeships and internships at the end of the programme
  • Careers fair in Durham

All Click Start courses are now ongoing and are due to finish in early September.


Programme Curriculum

This curriculum gives a strong foundation in general IT and IT support skills, plus general workplace readiness preparation, with the aim of equipping learners for a level 3 or 4 apprenticeship.

The curriculum has been developed with TechUP programme partners and includes:

 

If you did not meet the criteria for this programme or missed the deadline to apply this year, you can check the Institute of Coding’s website to see what other Click Start courses might be right for you.


Interested in applying next year?

Applications for all 2023 Click Start by TechUPWomen courses are now closed. However, the TechUP and Catch22 teams are currently planning our next intake – if you’re interested in applying, you can sign up to our waiting list. Once the timetable has been confirmed and applications opened, a career coach will be in touch with you to discuss your application.

Read the programme FAQs for more information and sign up to our TechUP mailing list to stay informed.

Want to Know More?

Explore past TechUP initiatives, try one of our online courses or connect with us

This course is part of the new nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) – a national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company that operates and protects UK Internet infrastructure and uses its funds to support projects that promote digital inclusion. 

The new programme rolls out through 2023 and helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 25,000 learners across the country who may not have previously had opportunities.

About Nominet

Nominet is a public benefit company, driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online.  For 25 years, Nominet has been developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics that is used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Our social impact programme provides funding, support, and opportunities to help tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.

About the Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding (IoC), led by the University of Bath, is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education. Through this collaborative approach, IoC partners have created more than 150 new courses that have engaged over 900,000 diverse learners to date.