Newcastle College launches new digital skills programme

A North East college is helping its students find a clear pathway into sustainable tech jobs with a new programme.

Newcastle College has launched a Level 5 Diploma in Web Application Development, which will take learners from beginner level to achieving a qualification as a developer in under a year.

Applications for the course are now open, ahead of start dates in January.

Andrew Nicholson, head of digital technologies at Newcastle College, said: “This course represents a fantastic opportunity for those want to quickly and efficiently gain the vital digital skills needed by so many businesses locally, regionally and remotely.

“It has been launched in response to local employment demand and despite continued job losses and challenges faced by businesses across our region, it offers learners the chance to gain skills that are in demand from a growing sector.”

Newcastle College has worked alongside Gateway Qualifications, Code Institute and its Digital Advisory Board to devise the programme, which it hopes will plug the technology skills gap in the North East.

Newcastle is already one of the fastest growing tech clusters in the UK and with arrival of COVID-19, the process of digital transformation has been accelerated.

Technical skills in coding, web development and software development are now in high demand by both SMEs and corporates alike, with job opportunities in these roles opening up across the UK.

The new Level 5 Diploma in Web Application Development is the latest in a line of responsive qualifications on offer at the college, following the recent launch of its Foundation Degree in Engineering with Applied Digital Technologies.

Andrew continued: “By delivering high-tech digital skills, we aim to create a pool of technical talent who will accelerate economic recovery in the region and provide graduates with sustainable careers.

“Students applying to enrol on the Diploma in January 2021 will be qualified and job-ready by early 2022, meaning they’ll play a vital role in the recovery of businesses and our region in a post-COVID and post-Brexit economy.”