A new programme announced today by Nationwide Building Society will help over 120 young people into an exclusive tech education course, helping drive social mobility for underrepresented young people.
The Tech Futures Launchpad, founded by Nationwide and tech education company MAMA.codes, will provide classes for children in foster care and from low-income homes in London and Swindon to learn all about the essentials of coding in a fun, friendly way that will help develop a lifelong learning habit.
2022 research from New Scientist magazine found that the average STEM salary was nearly £46,0001 - 39% higher than the average median wage of £33,0002. Opting for a STEM career can have a huge impact on future earning potential and quality of life - so it’s vitally important to start learning basic concepts early, especially as upheavals in artificial intelligence redefine our everyday life.
The students will master the art of technology through a series of specially designed modules in Scratch, a coding language which makes coding concepts often only introduced at undergraduate level approachable for much younger students. By the end of the course, the children will be able to make their own games and even write their own algorithms!
Laura Faulkner, Director of Business Services at Nationwide Building Society, said: “We’re excited to help deliver these courses as part of our broader social mobility agenda. Education is vital for improving social mobility across society - as well as providing essential skills, these courses will help foster the entrepreneurial spirit of innovation which has helped drive so many success stories in the tech industry.
“By making MAMA.codes’s courses accessible for these disadvantaged young Londoners we’re really able to make a difference to their lives - hopefully one day some of them might choose to work for Nationwide!”
Liane Katz, Co-Founder and CEO at MAMA.codes, said: “MAMA works to ensure that the digital divide is narrowed, one young coder at a time.
“Through our free Tech Launchpad courses, made possible with Nationwide’s support, 125 children from underrepresented backgrounds will dive into the world of coding, turning curiosity into creativity and ideas into innovations.”