Gateway into Tech - Tech Cornwall

Career Changer Program

The Gateway into Tech project’s aim is to engage with companies in developing new ways of training potential new employees. To help talented individuals with working skills gain employment within the software and technology industry locally. The program will help these individuals gain specific identified skills prior to employment and take their current workplace skills with them to make them a valid new member of the software working community.

Helping Businesses Recruit

The Gateway into Tech program works on businesses engaging with Software Cornwall. Taking guidance from them Software Cornwall can develop the learning program, ensuring that the content is suitable for local business needs. There is funding available for the companies that assist us in this development and further funds available for those companies providing placements to help towards training reviews and salary costs.

Companies can help Software Cornwall by providing advice and help with:

Initial suitability of candidates & providing interviews.
Development of the training program.
Providing training (specific funding available).
Provision of placements (salary costs support & review funding assistance).
Networking opportunities and work place visits.

If you are a company that finds this idea of providing talented people for you business interesting then we would like to hear from you. Simply drop us a line to [email protected] or complete the first part of the form at the bottom of this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Mathieu French, Lead software developer at Tanist and Gateway to Tech employer said:

“I can honestly say that the dedication of Sam and Luke (our Gateway to Tech placements) is something I’ve never seen before, they have gone above and beyond for Tanist in every aspect of their work and we’ve confirmed that we will be making their roles permanent.

In the first 2-3 months we’ve managed to automate processes and deliver work to clients and we’ve been able to increase our exposure from a marketing perspective, putting a definitive brand in place. It has meant that business growth has ballooned, we’ve gained work in the short term, as well as having skillsets and the right mindsets to tackle any problem-solving issues that crop up.”

Switch to a Career in Tech

Changing careers is not an easy task. Not only taking courage but also the drive to gain new knowledge and the will to succeed. The training and learning development plan we will put together will help guide candidates to develop those skills that are really required. We shall also help them to sell themselves. Practice with applying for positions. Produce a bank of experience to demonstrate their new found skills. Also providing opportunities to network with the tech community in Cornwall.

Our aim is to provide talented work ready candidates with the right skills.

Giz Edwards, Sales and Marketing Executive at hiyield and Gateway into Tech said:

“Although my role is not as a developer, the Gateway to Tech programme has helped my ability to do my job as I have a greater understanding of the complexity of programming, which gives me the ability to be able to advise clients better and give them a better expectation for what we can deliver.”

Started in 2021 the project will enhance job opportunities within Cornwall. It will also help the skills shortage within this, the software industry, by finding skilled, able individuals and supplying them with new talents and ensuring they enhance and recognise their own.

Candidate Requirements

The candidates may currently be employed or not but a resident of Cornwall. Anyone may opt to change their career at any time of their lives for all manner of reasons. This is not an apprenticeship, there are no wages (until on a placement) but nor are there any costs. Except time and effort.

Candidates will need to be able to put aside around 300 hours to study. These hours are to their own schedule except for a weekly class.

Access to the internet and a computer will be needed as candidates will be directed to online resources to study from. We are also working on ways to support access to a computer to those who may need it. They shall also need the computer to build up the online portfolio of work to link into their rebooted CV.

The Learning

The learning program may be different for each candidate. All will receive the recommended resources but individuals will be guided to follow the learning most suitable to their experience and preferences. The resources have been chosen to provide as wide an opportunity to learn as possible. Utilising these is as much about how candidates learn as what they learn. Being able to solve problems and communicate with others is as important, if not more.

The learning will include:

the most popular programming languages
building of web sites
working practices
presentational and communication skills
social media
CV writing
project development

Along the way there may be opportunities to gain recognised certification or badges of completion to share to your skills bank. There will be paid access to online learning platforms where necessary. Also sessions with professionals from within the industry and access to local networking events.

If you are interested as an individual in taking part in this project please register your interest by completing the form below. If you have any questions then email us at [email protected].