SIGN UP TO A ‘CLICK START’ COURSE TO START YOUR TECH CAREER

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Click Start is a programme which can help you to kickstart your career in the tech sector! Find out more and sign up today…

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Durham University and Catch 22 will be delivering their FREE online Click Start by TechUpWomen course this June, and it is now open for applicants!

Click Start by Tech Up Women is a British Computer Society (BCS) accredited Level 2/3 IT training programme developed with tech industry specialists. It is specifically for women and non-binary people living in the North and North East of England who are interested in a career in tech but have experienced barriers to education and the workplace.

It is designed to provide learners with a strong foundation in general IT and IT support skills, plus general workplace readiness with the aim of equipping you with the skills you need for a level 3 or 4 apprenticeship.

“By creating programmes that are flexible, that means that somebody can either work from home, study in their own time, all of these things just reduce barriers. It’s a huge opportunity for the tech industry to bring more people in of diverse thought, diverse backgrounds”

Chris leeming, social impact lead, nominet

To be eligible for the Click Start programme you must meet the following criteria:

  • Identify as female or non-binary
  • 18-30 years old (further eligibility criteria apply for those aged 31-40 which will be discussed as part of your application)
  • Right to live and work in the UK
  • Hold Maths and English GCSE
  • Reside in one of the following areas: Bradford, Blackburn, Carlisle, Durham, Darlington, Blackpool, Harrogate, Liverpool, Lancaster, Leeds, Newcastle, Preston, Sunderland, Teesside/Cleveland, Wakefield, Wigan, Yorkshire, Manchester, Warrington, Bolton, Oldham, Halifax, Huddersfield
  • Personal income not exceeding £25,000 per year or unemployed
  • Must not hold an ICT or Tech relate qualification at A-Level or above
  • Have experienced a barrier to employment or education
  • Problem solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Computer systems
  • Working in command line
  • Troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • Ticketing systems
  • Cloud based systems
  • Introduction to coding
  • Introduction to data analysis
  • Introduction to user design and research
  • Teamwork
  • Tech career pathways
  • CV writing
  • Job search skills
  • Interview skills
  • Introduction to a professional working environment
  • Industry insights sessions with Microsoft
  • Sales
  • Communication skills
  • Team building
  • Confidence building
  • Signposting to other services for support with additional barriers

“I had self doubt at the beginning but now I feel more confident and I can go for different roles that I didn’t think I was capable of.”

Cindy Lai Chau, Tech Up Women Click Start Graduate

“Now I work as a software engineer at Microsoft in the Microsoft Cloud for Industry team.”

Nina Ma, TechUp Women Graduate

“I think it’s going to give me the extra skillset I need.”

TechUp Women Student

When you sign up to Click Start, you will be allocated a careers coach and will receive support for up to 6 months after the course completion to help you to find employment, an apprenticeship or further learning.

There are 90 places available for June 2024, the course will start on the 22nd June. Courses run for either: 12 weeks (1 day a week); 12 weeks (2 evenings a week); 6 weeks (2 days a week).

“The 2023 Click Start programme has seen 63% of learners progress in to employment, an apprenticeship or further learning so far!”

  • Introduction to coding (Python)
  • Cloud Based systems
  • Testing applications
  • Working in Command Line
  • Data analysis
  • Ticketing systems
  • Tech career pathways
  • Confidence building
  • Job search skills
  • Overcoming barriers
  • Microsoft industry insight sessions