Following months of consistent growth and a rising number of firms across the North enrolling their employees on its respected DevAccelerator programme, Manchester and Leeds-based Northcoders – the coding school for the North – is launching a new version of the course called the Language DevAccelerator Programme.
The initial cohorts, which will start in mid-December, will see developers deep dive into one of three specific language tracks via dedicated masterclasses for the first time. Participants will be able to focus on GO, Typescript or C#. The curriculum has been carefully curated to upskill the region’s software developers for the post-COVID-19 economy.
This new approach is all about unleashing developers’ productivity with a range of industry-driven structured learning and tech-agnostic masterclasses on topics like cloud operations and testing. It will combine instructor-led workshops, e-learning, mentoring and practical project-based learning.
Language DevAccelerator is a 13-month industry led professional training programme, paid for with apprenticeship levy funding, co-investment or levy-transfer. If employers don’t have a levy, they can share the cost with the government. This is called ‘co-investment’ and means the company pays 5% and the government will pay the rest.
DevAccelerator was designed to fast-track individuals with a foundation development skill set so that they have the attributes of those in professional level roles within 12-months. It combines the best bits of the Apprenticeship Framework with its DevLabs course in order to create a better way of using the Apprenticeship Levy pot. The Language DevAccelerator Programme is the next incarnation of that vision.
Amy Wild – commercial director at Northcoders – said: “We have worked incredibly hard to create a new version of this training programme so it’s exciting that it’s now being launched. Our aim is simple: we want to combine our experience in designing and delivering corporate training with an apprenticeship standard that provides a better way for businesses to fast-track their developers to mid and senior level. The core benefit is that they will be able to build even better tech.
Amy added: Despite the turmoil the world has faced this year, tech has remained one of the most buoyant sectors and its relevance and importance is only set to grow. It’s therefore essential that all industries invest in their tech capabilities and their employees’ skills. Especially as we know that when firms invest in their developers the commercial and cultural value they get in return is far higher.”
Decisions on whether the programme will be fully remote or combine on-campus learning will be made closer to the time and will be based on current government guidance.
The first Language DevAcclerator programme dates are as follows:
~ 14th December 2020: Language DevAccelerator including ‘GO’ Language
~ 11th January 2021: Language DevAccelerator including ‘Typescript’ Language
~ 18th January – Language DevAccelerator including ‘C#’ Language
Since its inaugural course in 2015, Northcoders has helped over 575 people switch careers into tech, with average starting salaries of £25,000. As well as the Manchester campus, Northcoders also has a site at tech hub Platform in Leeds.
Over the past two years, it has been selected as one of the country’s brightest tech stars in Creative England’s CE50 list and was named Business of the Year at the 15th Annual Chamber Business Awards. It has also launched scholarship schemes and a deferred payment programme aimed at women and gender minorities, as well as those who identify as BAME or LGBTQ+, have a disability or have had limited access to education, to help address diversity in tech. The firm also relocated its Manchester campus to a new 10,000 sq. ft space at Manchester Technology Centre on Oxford Road in early 2020.
