News / Babbasa
Boosting diversity in Bristol’s tech sector
A new scheme aims to help remove some of the barriers faced by those who are currently underrepresented in the tech sector.
Develop Me has partnered with social enterprise Babbasa to offer four fully-funded bursaries for young black people seeking to launch a career as a software developer.
The part-time 52-week Coding Fellowship Bootcamp will offer each student a chance to learn how to code, access to career coaches, full learning support, a community of industry mentors and loan of an Apple laptop for the full duration of the course.
Currently, only two per cent of tech employees in the UK are from an African, Caribbean or Black British background, according to The Chartered Institute for IT/BCS 2020 and Develop Me bosses have recognised the urgent need to diversify the industry.
“Now, more than ever, is the time to work together across the Bristol city region – to invest in local talent and to create supported high value career pathways that are accessible to everyone to become future leaders in the tech sector,” says Al Kennedy, the director of Develop Me.
The bursaries are partly funded by the Develop Me’s Opportunity Fund with support from hiring partners and the company’s mentor and alumni community. Babbasa is supporting with recruitment and access to under-represented communities.
Further information on the bursaries is available via www.developme.tech/black-bristol-tech-pathway/.
Main photo courtesy of Develop Me/ Babbasa
Read more: Bridging the gaps to equality in Bristol
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