Hundreds of students across Stirling will get the chance to develop their digital skills thanks to a sponsorship and support deal with fibre broadband specialist CityFibre.
The Level:Up Schools Digital Challenge, which is developed and run by CodeBase Stirling, is now in its third year and delivers workshops to high school students across the region.
CityFibre – which is investing more than £10m to bring full fibre digital connectivity to Stirling and Bridge of Allan as part of its strategic partnership with Vodafone – has lent its backing to the Level:Up schools outreach programme.
The practical sessions help students develop their digital and business skills as well as hearing inspiring talks from leaders and innovators in the world of business and tech.
This year, more than 1,000 secondary school students will attend the workshops from October to January. The workshops are part of CodeBase Stirling’s Level:Up skills development initiative.
Janine Matheson, Head of CodeBase Stirling said: “The schools’ challenge is one of the highlights of our year. We love spreading our enthusiasm for tech and digital to the S1s right across Stirling.
“We created the school’s digital sessions as a way to inspire and support the next generation of hipsters, hustlers and hackers. Through interactive workshops we’re increasing learning in programming and startup skills and exposing the students to the variety of digital and tech careers and the many ways to get there.
“It is important to CodeBase and the health of our industry that we address diversity and inclusion head on, showing young people what’s possible and [giving them] the confidence to get started. We’re delighted to be working with CityFibre on this year’s programme and really excited to see how this grows.”
Elaine Doherty, City Manager for CityFibre, added: “The digital revolution and a state-of-the-art full fibre network has arrived in Stirling. Full fibre down every street will fundamentally change the way we work, play and live.
“For it to be used to its full advantage, it needs young people armed with the skills and knowledge to use it and realise the benefits it brings. Workshops offered by the likes of CodeBase are vital in teaching kids the skills they need and we’re proud to support them.”
CityFibre is partnering with Vodafone to bring a new generation of Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to five million homes by 2025. This commitment has been reinforced by a £2.5bn investment programme and identifies 37 towns and cities which are primed for FTTP expansion.