Could You Be Next? Digital Academy Grads Ready to Transform Cornwall’s Tech Industry

20 Coders Graduate from Headforwards Digital Academy

Twenty newly qualified software developers are poised to make their mark on the South West tech industry following their graduation from the first Headforwards Digital Academy bootcamp. The intensive 16-week programme equipped participants with essential Full Stack Software Development skills, with several graduates already securing junior developer roles.

The bootcamp, delivered in partnership with the Code Institute, offered a hands-on approach to learning. Participants, many of whom started with little to no coding experience, were trained in programming languages such as Bootstrap, Django, and JavaScript, alongside Agile development principles.

From Hospitality to Coding: Diverse Pathways to Success

The inaugural cohort brought together individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including careers in hospitality and nursing, as well as those returning to work following redundancy. Kelly Kingstone, Director of the Digital Academy, highlighted the unique diversity among the graduates, saying, “This is an incredible first cohort… Something we’re really proud of is the inclusive group we’ve recruited – across age ranges, genders, life and career backgrounds.”

Filling the Tech Skills Gap

The Digital Academy is part of the Digital Futures initiative, backed by £2 million from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Cornwall Council. Toby Parkins, Group CEO for Headforwards, explained the motivation behind the programme:
“For many years, there’s been a recruitment challenge for tech and software development businesses to find the right skills. We know the type of candidate that makes a great software developer, so we decided to create our own programme to provide the core skills we need for them to hit the ground running in a development role.”

The academy’s success aligns with the council’s goal of addressing the regional skills gap in the tech sector. Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for economy at Cornwall Council, commented, “This innovative programme… equips individuals with high-demand digital skills and strengthens our economy by supporting local businesses in need of talent.”

Next Cohort Applications Open

Following the success of its first bootcamp, the Digital Academy is now accepting applications for its next Full Stack Software Development Skills Bootcamp, starting in Spring 2025. Applicants must be 18 or over and either reside or work for a business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.

For more information, visit the Headforwards Digital Academy website.