DynamoNorthEast IT initiatives that may be of interest to schools

 

Dynamo North East is the industry-led body for IT companies and IT departments in North East England. Here is a round up of some the things Dynamo’s doing that schools might be interested in.

 

IT Apprenticeships

Dynamo   Established a pre-apprenticeship 15 week full time level 2 course with Baltic   Training.  If participants successfully complete   the 15week course they can apply for a year-long level 3 apprenticeship.

 

95% of   participants have progressed from level 2 to level 3 (national average is   85%).  The initiative started in February   last year so has not yet completed a cycle.    Once it has (around June / July) we should be able to draw stats on how many participants went on to full time employment.

 

Further information   at:

http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/regional-pride/north-east-england-young-adults-parents-check-apprentice-hub/#.VrtHwHncuig

 

Coding Clubs   and Maker Clubs

Dynamo has   an aim of a coding club or maker club in every primary school.  However there are a range of activities   both in school and outside school that young people of primary and secondary school   age may be interested in.

 

Further information   at:

https://neict.jiglu.org/spaces/neictpublic/knowledge/initiatives-on-digital-skills-for-young-people/NEICT%20Digital%20Skills%20for%20young%20people%20briefing%20May%202014.pdf  

 

Careers   Information

Dynamo has developed   an IT Skills Pipeline (available at https://neict.jiglu.org/spaces/neictpublic/knowledge/it-careers-skills-pipeline/Dynamo%20Skills%20Pipeline%20updated19nov2014.pdf) and led on Dynamo’s schools careers   talks which have been delivered as part of Esh Group’s Building My Skills CSR   programme.

 

With participation   from more Dynamo members we hope to engage more schools next academic year.

 

Further information   at:

https://neict.jiglu.org/spaces/neictpublic/knowledge/sources-of-it-careers-information-for-young-people  

 

http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/skills-and-education/dynamo-heads-back-to-school/#.VrtHYnncuig

 

IT skills in   schools

Dynamo   organised an event last year to bring teachers, careers advisors, STEM   ambassadors, coding clubs and maker clubs, colleges and universities together   at Gateshead College and connect schools with CPD and funding opportunities.

 

Further information   at:

http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/general-news/schools-it-skills-event-is-engaging-success/#.VrtH7Hncuig

 

A similar   free-to-attend twilight CPD event is being organised for the eve of the   Dynamo16 conference (22nd June).

 

Further information   (once available) at:

http://dynamo-north-east.eventbrite.co.uk/

 

Encouraging   IT colleagues to become school governors

Dynamo believes   the IT economy would benefit from IT colleagues supporting schools through   becoming school governors. 

 

Further information   at:

http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/ourwork/#.VrtKXnncuig  

 

‘Northern Futures’   UTC

 

Dynamo   helped secure funding for this brand new school in Newcastle which is being   developed with Sunderland University.    It will be for 14-18 yr olds and will major in Life Sciences and IT.  It aims to draw its students from across   the Region.

 

Further information   at:

http://www.utcolleges.org/utcs/northern-futures-utc/  

 

Cyber   Essentials

 

Dynamo is   organising a series of free-to-attend workshops to promote better information   security in SMEs, charities and schools.

 

Further information   at:

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dynamo-north-east-9718600301  

 

Encouraging   more girls to want a career in IT

Dynamo wants   to see greater diversity in the IT workforce and is addressing issues that   might put girls off a career in IT.

 

Further information   at:

http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/general-news/women/#.VrtK3nncuig  

 

 

General Information and key contacts: http://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/general-news/introducing-graham-jordan-dynamos-skills-work-stream/#.VrtIO3ncuig

 

School Heads and Business Managers might also be interested in attending NEICT’s ‘Enabling Safe Business – a closer look at cloud’ event on 18th March.

 

Further information at:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enabling-safe-business-a-closer-look-at-cloud-tickets-20011793814