Salford’s HOST, the innovation hub formerly known as The Landing, is to launch a new initiative which aims to improve diversity in the North West tech sector.
‘Skills City’ comprises digital technology bootcamp academies, working in collaboration with employers to create a pathway to jobs and diversify talent recruitment.
In a bid to remedy gender inequality in the sector, the MediaCity-based firm has committed that 50% of learners will be represented by women.
Those from a BAME background, financially disadvantaged, adults on career breaks like return to work mums, are also encouraged to explore the opportunities available at Skills City as alternative routes to finding employment in the tech sector.
A dedicated team of employer engagement managers and community skills coaches will be working across the region’s businesses, with all learners completing an employability programme and industry projects as part of their training.
HOST will be delivering training across six technology areas: cyber, data analytics, immersive technologies, cloud engineering, software engineering and creative digital media.
The technology training will be delivered by Skills City’s partner academies including the Raytheon Cyber Academy, AWS re/Start, University of Salford, Unity 3D Academy and Black Codhers, a specialist software engineering academy for black women.
All Skills City academies will carry a professional industry certification and transition to level 3 and 4 apprenticeships.
Outreach programmes into BAME and disadvantaged communities across Greater Manchester and the North West will be carried out.
Mo Isap, CEO of HOST, said: “Establishing Skills City has been a very personal mission, a first of its kind Skills City in Greater Manchester, and our ambition is to establish a Skills City hub within all of the region’s technology clusters as a catalyst to eradicating inequality and digital exclusion.
“By working in collaboration with the government, local authorities and employment partners, our mission is to support people from across Greater Manchester, the North and the UK with overcoming the barriers into new careers in tech.”
