Unlocking the Potential of the Next Generation: Why Coding Education is Crucial for Closing the Skills Gap

  • Author Yasmin De Nardo – Head of Connected Technology Academy, KPMG UK

  • 10.04.2023

Roles in technology are being created faster than we can fill them, and despite offering a viable solution to closing the gap, efforts to equip the next generation with digital skills remain lacklustre across the board. Yasmin De Nardo, unpacks the challenges the tech sector faces in preparing young people for roles that don't even exist yet, and how teaching kids to code is a step in the right direction.

In a society that accesses and consumes everything via technology, whether it be your device, apps, smart TV’s we can do most things via the touch of a button.

Need to do the big shop but can’t get to the supermarket? No problem. Want to watch the newest film without going to the cinema? Easily done.  

One of the things as we face an ever-present digital skills gap is the fact that it’s not going away any time soon. Roles in technology are being created faster than we can fill, and it begs the question how are we ensuring that the future generation are better prepared for life in a digital world?

With the challenges facing the education sector, there has been more of a reliance on businesses than ever as part of their CSR programmes to see how we can support with filling the gaps.

A growing gap

A 2017 report from Royal Society said that “Computational thinking is a core component of a computing curriculum, and is not only important in coding, but can be an important life skill for solving problems

In 2022, there were 81,120 entries (JCQ) for “Computing” at GCSE in comparison to the 2014 figure of 112,971. However, girls studying design and technology for GCSE fell from 29,741 in 2019 to 28,763 in 2020 and sadly, the low numbers are reflected in job roles. The percentage of women employed in tech has barely moved from 15.7% in 2009 to approximately 17% in 2021.

Whilst a lot of great work happens to encourage people into these roles outside of higher education, it’s almost too late to be pipelining talent in this way. It’s simply not enough anymore. The seed needs to be planted much earlier to ensure readiness and that starts at grass roots level.

The biggest challenge we face is access to opportunities, communities and being able to prepare the next generation for the roles of the future, some of which don’t even exist yet.

But the most important thing is being able to focus on the theme of DigitALL.

Technology and digital aren’t meant to be exclusive and neither should it be. We want people to know that there is space in the tech sector for everyone and access for the talent we have coming through the pipeline.

KidsCode: A step in the right direction

That’s where KidsCode was born from. It’s about showcasing technology in a fun way and making it easily accessible to both parents and children.  As well as having a fantastic team delivering these sessions, they are committed and passionate about showcasing technology in a way that’s accessible to anyone – and to the most important people of all – children!

At our last event, we invited children and their parents for an exciting morning of learning Python and Scratch in an accessible way that was open to all. From building an emoji confetti cannon, to driving remote control cars, there was something for everyone and most importantly, people had fun!

It was also a great opportunity to engage with parents and educate them also on opportunities of the future without it seeming confusing

This has also enabled us to engage with local schools to teach 5 weeks of Python on curriculum, which is incredibly important. Rather than just trying to capture the kids that are interested, it’s about giving all children valuable skills for the future and introducing them to tech in a way that could potentially impact them in later life and unlocking future potential they might not know they have.

We need to keep breaking down barriers and accessibility to technology, in a world that is digitally driven and continue to demystify careers in technology, for the next generation to be able to come through.

KidsCode is only one step for us to be able to achieve this and we all have a commitment to keep being agents of change to carve those pathways out for our technologists of the future.

The next KPMG: KidsCode event lands in Sovereign Square on Saturday 22nd April. You can find out more and secure a spot for your kids here.

About the author:

Yasmin is currently Head of Connected Technology Academy at KPMG, a role that allows her to break down barriers for women and young people coming into the tech industry and educating through outreach activity in schools, colleges and universities. Her storied career includes stints at a host of tech giants, from NHS Digital and Accenture to Jet2 and Sky Betting and Gaming.

But her passion for gender equality doesn’t stop at the office door. She’s a powerful voice in the Leeds tech community and is committed to helping people feel empowered to take the leap into tech, regardless of background and experience. Something that’s evident in her place on the WILD Digital Board, where she helps in their mission to inspire people from minority groups to consider a career in digital. She is also a Board Member at Maggie’s Cancer Centres and a School Governor.

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