Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone: A Milestone in Digital Skills Development
BY MARK MARTIN MBE
As the Co-founder of UK Black Tech, I’m proud to announce an innovative skills project that promises to redefine the tech landscape in Peckham – the Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone (DAZ) by Click Start. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration, brought to life through our partnership with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and with pivotal support from the London Borough of Southwark council.
Supported by Nominet with £800k funding, the Peckham DAZ programme, with a total value of £1.4m, is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC).The Peckham DAZ by Click Start is poised to make a significant impact. Our objective is clear: to deliver comprehensive digital skills training to 18-25 year-olds from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in Southwark. This programme is a harmonious blend of UAL’s educational excellence, UK Black Tech’s innovative spirit, and the council’s strategic guidance, ensuring a robust framework for delivery.
The Peckham DAZ will be headquartered at the UAL Hub at Eagle Wharf, aiming to empower 200 learners over an 18-month period starting from Q2 2024. With a goal of 50% of participants moving into employment, our focus extends beyond mere training; we’re committed to tangible outcomes that enhance lives and enrich the community. The initial 6 months will be dedicated to outreach, establishing strong employer relationships, and recruiting learners for the program.
We’re embarking on an ambitious journey to not only equip homegrown talent with in-demand digital skills but also to foster a vibrant ecosystem where local businesses and the broader tech industry can thrive. This project is a clarion call for organisations, industry leaders, HR professionals, and recruiters to join us. Your partnership can provide mentorship, internships, and career opportunities that are crucial for the success of our learners.
We envision the Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone as a catalyst for change, breaking down barriers to entry in the tech sector and paving the way for a diverse and dynamic workforce. If you believe in creating opportunities and want to play a role in this groundbreaking project, we invite you to reach out and explore how we can collaborate for a brighter, more inclusive tech future.
This course is part of the nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) – a national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company that operates and protects UK Internet infrastructure and uses its funds to support projects that promote digital inclusion.
The programme rolled out through 2023 helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country who may not have previously had opportunities.
About Nominet
Nominet is a public benefit company, driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For 25 years, Nominet has, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics that is used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Our social impact programme provides funding, support, and opportunities to help tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.
About the Institute of Coding
The Institute of Coding (IoC), led by the University of Bath, is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education. Through this collaborative approach, IoC partners have created more than 150 new courses that have engaged over 1 million diverse learners to date.
For more information on how to get involved or to offer your support, please contact us at info@ukblacktech.com. Together, we can unlock the potential of Peckham’s youth and set a new standard for digital skills training in the UK.