Unemployed youths in Birmingham offered chance to start a career.
Leading digital transformation consultancy Infinity Works has announced an exciting new partnership with global youth employment non-profit organisation Generation UK & Ireland to help support unemployed youths in Birmingham and plug the UK digital skills gap.
Building upon its successful in-house data engineering Academy, Infinity Works has worked with Generation to design a unique free 12-week programme that supports young people from Birmingham, who are either unemployed or come from an underprivileged 
The course, focused on data engineering, is being delivered remotely and contains an extensive blend of programming and employment training to prepare students for a future role in industry. Using its extensive network, Generation will connect students with employers across the UK struggling to fill entry-level digital roles.
Clement Pickering (pictured), Director of Academy at Infinity Works, said: “We’re both proud and excited to be partnering with Generation to help support young people get their first foot on the tech career ladder. During the last 12 months, we’ve seen a growing demand for data skills that enable businesses to build meaningful solutions that unlock value. Tech businesses in the UK have an important role to play in educating and empowering young people so that they have the skills to help bridge the widening UK digital skills gap.”
Michael Houlihan, CEO of Generation, said: “We’re delighted to launch this pioneering Data Engineering programme in partnership with Infinity Works. Infinity Works are a market leader with deep expertise in the field, plus one of a growing list of companies from Leeds making an important contribution to the wider UK tech sector.
“We’re looking forward to helping hundreds, if not thousands, of young people land their dream jobs in the UK tech sector, widening access to these exciting careers to people that may not otherwise have had the opportunity, and addressing the UK digital skills gap all at once. The response from young people, employers, and policy makers has been fantastic, and we’re excited to get going with programmes in London, Manchester, and Birmingham in 2020, and more cities to follow in 2021.”
The data engineering programme is open to people aged 18 to 29 and aren’t currently in education, training, or stable employment. The first cohort included people from the Birmingham area with another programme underway in Central London. The course is also currently open to people from Manchester with more locations planned for the future.
As part of the collaboration, Infinity Works will provide instructors and the technical content, with Generation adding expertise and content around wider professional skills and connecting graduates with employers in the tech sector.
Anyone interested in joining the programme can find out more here.