A computer coding 'bootcamp' has been set up to help people in the North East become tech experts.

Software expert Northcoders has launched the fully funded Northcoders Excellence Scholarship scheme as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs.

Places will be awarded on individual merit and all applicants must live in the region, Successful applicants, who will join on 9th August and will be taught remotely and will not be charged.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector specific skills and fast track to an interview with a local employer. In just 14 weeks, participants will learn the skills needed to become a junior software developer. The programme will be taught in JavaScript for students whowill also be provided with careers advice, CV writing workshops and given access to Northcoders’ internal jobs board, where they will be able to view and directly apply for junior software developer roles.

Northcoders was established in 2015, and has helped more than 800 people switch careers into technology, with average starting salaries of around £25,500. 95% of Northcoders secure a software engineering role after graduation.

In 2018 Northcoders was named Business of the Year at the 15th Annual Chamber Business Awards.