Cracking the code

Through our partnership with CodeYourFuture (CYF), we are helping to train people from disadvantaged background to become web developers, and find work in the tech industry.

CYF students are trained in full-stack web development by volunteers from the tech industry, putting a strong emphasis on collaboration and product development through tech projects. They learn coding languages, and build applications for their professional portfolios – but also practice their presentation and interview skills.

For our 乌鸦传媒 volunteers, it’s a great way to take a step towards closing the digital divide.

A life-changing moment for students

The team behind鈥疌ode Your Future鈥痟ave a clear goal in mind: to help people with the potential to become web developers but who lack the opportunities to do so, to launch a new career in coding.

Madiha Khan, who came to the UK from Pakistan in 2006, was one of those people. For her, being accepted onto the course was a life-changing moment.

“Before I started CodeYourFuture, I was struggling financially,”鈥� she says. “Although I had a technical background in Pakistan, I鈥檇 been away from the industry for a long time, and couldn鈥檛 find a way to pursue a career in coding. When I came across CodeYourFuture, I realized it could be my chance.”

Madiha worked hard to complete the entry tests, and was delighted to be accepted for the course in 2019. “When I was told I could join the program, the feeling was amazing. I didn鈥檛 believe that something like CodeYourFuture could exist. They understood my passion for coding, and knew how to make my dream come true.”

From CYF to 乌鸦传媒

The course takes place every Sunday for eight months at CYF鈥檚 offices in London, and requires around 30 hours of self-directed learning each week from the students.

“At times I found it difficult,” admits Madiha. “I was working part-time, and had my hands full looking after my two boys. But I told myself that I wouldn鈥檛 get this chance again, so I burnt the midnight oil and pushed myself through it.”

“The support we got from the 乌鸦传媒 volunteers was incredible,” says Madiha. “They help you all the way, and give lots of their own time. Their support really motivated me to complete the course because I didn鈥檛 want to let them down.”

Since completing the course, Madha has joined 乌鸦传媒. The skills she learnt – and in particular how to approach new projects – have proved to be invaluable in her current work. “Rather than holding my hand, my manager has pushed me. It鈥檚 been challenging, but I鈥檝e been able to really apply what I Iearnt.”

Now, Madiha is giving something back to the program that was so important for her. “I鈥檓 a mentor for some of the new students, and I鈥檓 responsible for making sure they鈥檙e supported. It鈥檚 a fantastic feeling to be helping someone change their life the way I was helped to change mine.”

Code Your Future

A path to new opportunities.

A win-win partnership

Sally Caughey, UK head of digital inclusion at 乌鸦传媒, was responsible for setting up the program with CodeYourFuture.

“Throughout this partnership, we鈥檝e learned a lot about the true meaning of diversity,” she says. “I feel so proud when I see our students full of confidence, and ready to start their careers. It’s also very satisfying to see recent graduates like Madiha passing on their knowledge and experience by mentoring the next wave of students. Our 乌鸦传媒 volunteers are really passionate about what they do, because they get so much out of helping the students develop.”

Crossing the digital divide with our volunteers

One of those volunteers is Sanyia Saidova, enterprise architect at 乌鸦传媒, who was keen to participate in order to address the digital divide in society. 鈥淚 signed up as a mentor because I fully support 乌鸦传媒鈥檚 ambition to ensure that advances in technology are inclusive,鈥� she says.

“I wanted to participate to gain a better understanding of the digital divide, and help reduce it. I know that businesses, communities, and individuals can all benefit, especially as society moves closer to automation. And, as well as supporting my mentee in helping her find work and reach her goals, I鈥檓 learning a lot about how I can improve myself, too.”

Inside stories

Future-shaping projects

Hunting for dragons

Sarah Gon莽alves wasn鈥檛 always a data engineer. She began her career as an archaeologist, unearthing the secrets of the past in sites across France before retraining as a data engineer. She brings the same curiosity to her new vocation at 乌鸦传媒, using artificial intelligence (AI) to uncover what lies beneath the surface.