Code your way to a better future
We live in a digital world where everything is a service, and there is an app for almost anything you can imagine, from ordering a takeaway, a taxi, and even booking a last-minute flight or hotel.
However, if you dare to look under the hood at the mechanics delivering our instant gratification, you will find code that needs maintaining and a few problems that need solving.
Computer code might be the language that runs the world, but curious problem solvers who love learning are the unsung heroes of this digital age.
Recent research by KX revealed that despite the world running on computer code, the skills shortage continues, with 43% of students saying it’s still not being taught in schools, and the Government’s Levelling Up plan appears to be stumbling.
These are just a few reasons why we are passionate about our Training the Nation campaign.
We aim to help people of all ages and from all walks of life find new careers and job security in tech. For a limited period, each week, Learning People are supporting students by part-funding their tuition fees for training and certification. If you qualify, you will also get accelerated access to the Career Services team, who will help you turn your studies into a new career.
What type of people can learn to code?
If you watch many movies and TV shows, you could be forgiven for thinking that coders are typically teenage boys wearing hoodies who are happier staring at screens than talking to people. But it’s time to shatter this stereotype once and for all. By contrast, coders enjoy interacting with team members and multiple stakeholders. They can also break down complex technical concepts and communicate them in a language everyone can understand.
Anyone from any background can learn to code as long as they are patient, self-motivated, and want to pursue a career where no two days are ever the same. Our career services teams have many stories of how people from all walks of life switched careers during the pandemic after learning to code. These skills empower our students to not only consume technology but create ideas that change the world and unlock both a career and salary that they never thought possible.
What transferable skills do I need to be a coder?
Coders will be expected to work confidently as part of a wider team and be comfortable simplifying technical jargon to the broader business. These interpersonal skills will come naturally to anyone working in a corporate environment, especially if you have experience working as a resource in cross-functional project teams where you collectively overcome challenges together.
Ensuring work is completed ahead of deadlines is a critical part of corporate life and the tech industry is no different. More and more technical teams are also embracing agile techniques, so being adaptable to change is increasingly attractive to employers. In addition, thinking creatively and outside the box are essential transferable skills when working in software development.
Although learning to code will kick start your career in tech, your interpersonal skills will ensure you slot into a team and seamlessly collaborate with others which is highly desirable to employers. Ultimately, technical skills can easily be taught, but your transferable soft skills learned in nontechnical roles will help you stand out from the crowd.
How difficult is learning to code?
Everyone has a unique learning style, and there is no one size fits all cookie approach to learning how to code. Some will want to learn at their own pace, while others will want to immerse themselves in a coding Bootcamp to fast-track their progress. But suppose you wish to open up new opportunities by learning or developing your knowledge of Python or embark on a journey from Java Novice to Javanista. In that case, we have the perfect career path for you.
The good news is that the Code+ career-ready coding package requires zero coding experience.
The collection contains everything you need to take you from a complete novice to a coding pro with access to Europe’s only university credit-rated diploma in Full Stack Software Development. With access to 12,000 books and 10,000 hours of video content, you will have the ability to learn on the go, from anywhere, even on your lunch break. Essentially, the only limit to your new career is your imagination.
The Diploma in Full Stack Software Development is another option for those new to coding. It also comes with the bonus of being credit-rated by the University of the West of Scotland, making it the only credit-rated coding bootcamp in Europe. If learning at your own pace for months or years feels a little overwhelming, this intensive coding course might be better suited to you. Essentially, the only limit to your new career is your imagination.
How many coding jobs are there right now?
According to the State of the Developer Nation report, there are 26.8 million active software developers worldwide, but this figure is expected to reach 45 million by 2030. Although the UK is the third-largest market for technology, the country is lagging behind Europe around workforce development as the global tech skills gap widens.
News that the UK is not producing enough highly skilled technical employees to fill demand also creates a wealth of opportunities for anyone to secure a lucrative career in tech. The average salary for Coding jobs is £47,500, but this can quickly rise to a six-figure salary as you gain experience within the industry.
Regardless of your background or experience, there has never been a better time for anyone to successfully pivot to a new career in tech and play a key role in bringing ideas that change the world to life through computer code.
However, this is not a journey you need to make alone. Our career consultants will help you build a unique career path around your interests, passion, and goals for the future. If you want to explore a career in coding, we invite you to join our 5-step coding challenge. Do you accept?
