People across Lancashire and Greater Manchester have a chance to retrain to become a tech engineer for free with The Open University (OU).
The OU is offering residents across Lancashire and Greater Manchester the opportunity to upskill and make a career change into the technology sector.
DevOpsSkills, a 20-week part-time course, developed by The Open University and DXC Technology, has a flexible approach which allows learners to fit their studies in and around existing work and family commitments.
The training programme is fully funded by the Fast Track Digital Workforce Fund so will be free of charge to residents.
Industry standard
Aimed at technology enthusiasts and women wanting to enter into the tech industry, DevOpsSkills will provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to carry out entry level roles, such as a DevOps engineer, software engineer, support engineer or cloud administrator with DXC Technology in Chorley or other local employers.
During the programme, learners will work towards the internationally recognised Python PCEP, Python PCAP, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and Professional Scrum Master PSMI industry certifications, so employers will understand the skills achieved.
On successful completion, learners will have the chance to interview for a post with DCX Technology should they wish.
Jane Dickinson, Digital Skills Lead, of The Open University, said:
“We’re excited to be partnering with DXC Technology to combine our quality teaching practices and experience of supporting busy working adults to learn, with additional training and real-world insights from one of the world’s largest IT services organisations.
“This flexible programme offers a new pathway into a rewarding career at DXC Technology or other local employers for residents with a passion for tech, who may have otherwise struggled to retrain around their other commitments. I would encourage anyone who is keen to get that first step into the tech sector to explore this golden opportunity.”
Speaking on the joint venture, Scott Riley, UKI Early Careers Manager at DXC Technology, said:
“DXC partnered with The Open University to introduce a course aimed at giving people the opportunity to follow their dream of working in the tech industry. Being an industry leader in IT, it made sense to partner with a quality university, like the OU, to help get people into tech.”
Closing the skills gap
Kerry Harrison, Lead for the Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership at Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, added:
“This is a really exciting project and I’m happy to see a training opportunity of this kind launch in the region as part of the Fast Track Fund. DevOp roles are very much in demand so this programme really fills a skills gap in the county.
“The partnership between The Open University and DXC is an excellent example of how employers and providers can work together to address local skills needs. One of the real differences with this intensive training scheme is that all participants, who have completed the course, are guaranteed an interview for a job within DXC Technology. Overall, a fabulous opportunity for residents.”
There are 35 places on offer and the programme is open to residents in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, who are 18 years old and over. To apply for the programme, visit https://www.open.ac.uk/devops-skills/
The closing date for applications will be Thursday 19 November 2020 and the programme will start week commencing Monday 30 November 2020.
