Kainos launches its biggest CodeCamp yet

We're delighted to launch the fourth annual Kainos CodeCamp today, supported by Queen's University Belfast, Belfast City Council and South Belfast Partnership. This year's CodeCamp is our biggest yet, with 100 young people from across Northern Ireland attending to find out more about the world of computer programming, increase their technical skills and get an insight into the life of a professional software developer. The students are all studying STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at year 11-14 level, and will spend two weeks getting the chance to experience the latest developments in technology as well as learning basic coding techniques. Today gave the students a chance to meet each other as well as their mentors staff and software developers from Kainos. Over the next fortnight, the students will enjoy workshops in a number of technologies including Raspberry Pi, Google Cardboard, Lego NXT Robots and HTC Vive, as well as developing their own Android apps, going through the full process from idea generation to development, testing and launch. This will allow them to experience what working in an IT environment is really like, and to understand the roles available to them within the industry. Demand for places this year was higher than ever, with all 100 tickets being claimed within 20 minutes of their release. This shows how eager young people are to increase their skills in the digital arena and improve their future employability. According to the recent Government report published by The Commons Science and Technology Committee, 90% of jobs require digital skills to some degree, and the UK will need another 745,000 workers with digital skills by 2017. However, the report highlighted that young people are not receiving the education and training they will need to meet this demand there is a lack of resources and specialist teachers. This gap in skills costs the UK economy around £6.3bn a year in lost income and has a huge impact on the employability of young people. It's clear from the high demand for Kainos CodeCamp that more initiatives like this are needed. That's why CodeCamp is just one strand of our wider Tech Outreach programme, designed to inspire kids, empower teachers and influence policy makers to improve digital literacy. Tech Outreach Manager, Gemma Crothers, explains: 'At Kainos we see how important it is to inspire, enthuse and educate people to make the most of the opportunities that digital roles provide and to ensure the UK's continuing success in the digital arena. That's why we're working with fantastic organisations like Queen's University Belfast, Belfast City Council and South Belfast Partnership to run events like Kainos CodeCamp, as well as the Prince's Trust and Code Club to provide opportunities for young people in Northern Ireland and beyond. Initiatives like CodeCamp provide practical, hands-on learning experiences that will really help young people to improve their digital literacy and widen their career opportunities in the future.' We wish all of this year's Kainos CodeCamp attendees the very best of luck!