CodeClan opens Data Analysis course in Glasgow

Earlier this year, CodeClan, Scotland’s national digital skills academy, introduced a new Data Analysis course, modelled upon their multiple award-winning Professional Software Development programme. The organisation has so far produced over 700 graduates through this course, many of whom are working within Fintech Scotland members, from the startup sector, through to the country’s largest financial institutions.

Developed with expert partners, including the Data Lab and Effini, the new course aims to do for data what CodeClan has already done for programming, by creating a new talent and training pipeline, to produce high quality, qualified data analysts with existing work experience and soft skills.

While the Data Analysis course was developed to support every industry sector, interest from Scotland’s fintech sector has been particularly high. So high in fact that the academy is bringing the programme to it’s city-centre Glasgow campus far earlier than planned.

A launch event is taking place at CodeClan Glasgow on August 22nd. The event is aimed at professionals already working with data, businesses which want to retrain existing staff, employers looking for new staff with valuable data skills and career changers who want to future proof their career with a valuable new set of skills.

Using the powerful R programming language, the course brings together the three key areas of data science:

• technical skills & coding
• business knowledge
• maths & statistics

Students learn the entire data analysis process from capturing requirements and asking the appropriate questions for the business, through to communicating results clearly and effectively to stakeholders. In addition the course incorporates elements of cyber security, ethics, privacy, User Experience (UX) design, visualisation and story-telling.

Hosted by CEO, Melinda Matthews, the event will introduce CodeClan, explain its teaching methods, introduce the instructor team and partner programme, with a particular focus on Glasgow’s Fintech sector. Due to high demand CodeClan suggests that early booking is recommended. 

Melinda Matthews-Clarkson, the CEO of CodeClan, said: “Since we first announced the Data Analysis course, enquiries from students and demand from industry partners in Glasgow, especially those within the financial services, has been growing.

“Now our first Edinburgh cohort is underway, we’re delighted to be able to bring the course to Glasgow and we look forward to introducing businesses, employers and students to CodeClan’s unique approach to teaching data analysis.”

The Data Analysis launch takes place on 22nd August (18:00-19:30) at Clockwise, 77 Renfrew St, Glasgow. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-launch-data-analysis-course-tickets-65808810925

The apprentice route to start in fintech

Origo apprentice Jack Scott recently became a permanent employee of the company. Rob Kingsbury talked to him about his decision to go the apprenticeship route and his experience of working at the Fintech 

Jack Scott left school knowing he didn’t want to go to university and saw the apprenticeship scheme from QA, one of several open to young people in Scotland, as a route into a career in IT.

“I had studied social subjects and computer/IT subjects at school and I thought the latter best suited an apprenticeship and it was something I was really interested in,” Jack explains. “Also, as an apprentice you study on the job and you get paid for your time.”

The interview with QA was an initial chat, a technical test, followed by a more in-depth interview. Having been accepted on to the course his CV was passed to companies with openings for apprentices. Jack was looking for an apprenticeship as an infrastructure analyst. It wasn’t a shoe-in; Origo was the fourth company who interviewed him.

Apprenticeships are primarily work based (around 80% of the working week) giving apprentices practical experience as well as completing set modules and attending workshops and courses to build knowledge that is essential in the working environment.  

Jack started his apprenticeship in November 2017. Origo had been interviewing for just one apprentice but two candidates stood out for them and they made the decision to offer both a place. 

“On my first day, if I’m honest, I was bricking it,” Jack admits. “Tyler (the other apprentice) and me were given the task of building a computer, setting it up and installing all the software it needed. I’d never done anything like it, while Tyler was so much more technical than me, he was just getting on with it. I had to say, look I’m struggling here, can you help me understand what we’re doing?’ It was the start of an effective team. 

Since then setting up computers to Origo specifications has become a regular part of their role. “Recently, everyone in the company got a new PC and we were tasked with building the computers, installing the software, setting up the security and doing the handover to the user, making sure they were comfortable with the new machine and how it worked.”

Now the two of them play to their individual strengths, Jack explains.

“Tyler is technical and I’m more of a people person, so he does most of the technical build and I take responsibility for the handover.”

It’s a team approach endorsed by the company.

“Origo is a really good company to work for. They are good at getting the best from people. There’s a job to be done but they look to what you are good at and really encourage you to develop.”

The apprenticeship Jack followed is a two-year programme including modules such as health and safety, customer service and technical fault diagnosis. An assessor came into the office on a monthly basis and there were set courses in both years ”“ a couple of two-week-long courses in year one and four courses lasting a week each in year two.   

If there is one challenge he has had in the two years, Jack says, it is having confidence in his own abilities.

“I’m quite a confident person but being given work that was new to me but I could see someone else doing, like on my first day, that was hard. But it’s about knowing you can ask questions and getting your head down and getting on with it. Then, when you can do it, you love it.”

The most enjoyable part of his experience to date, he says, has been the people side of the job.

“It’s why I like the computer deployment side of the job now because I get to talk to new people.”  

On 1 July Jack and Tyler became full-time Trainee Infrastructure Analysts with Origo. “I like the fact that we’ve gone from being apprentices to trainees. I think it’s the right title because I’m very aware that there’s a lot I still don’t know and there’s a learning process to go through.

“I’ve learned so much in the past two years. As well as doing things I’d never seen in my life before, I’ve improved my time management and I’ve become used to working in an office. I almost don’t recognise myself from where I was nearly two years ago. It’s been a fantastic experience.”

Jack says he’d recommend an apprenticeship in Fintech or technology in general.

“If you’re debating whether to go to University or getting a job, I’d recommend an apprenticeship. It’s the best of both worlds. You’ll have the study skills you’d get from University, as well as the practical skills from doing the job, and you get paid instead of building up student debt.“And there are so many apprenticeships in Scotland. It’s a really good opportunity.”  

The University of Edinburgh launches a fintech doctoral programme

The University of Edinburgh is launching a new initiative to help companies access talent and develop innovative products and services, a Fintech Doctoral Programme delivered is partnership with companies.

It combines a PhD training structure with a specific focus on topics at the intersection of finance/economics and informatics/technology with a company research project. Each student works on a project commissioned by their sponsoring company partner. Projects need to be of commercial interest to the sponsor and aim to ultimately drive development of new digital solutions and products.

Business partners will set the projects’ topics and will be involved in the candidates’ selection process. Sponsoring companies provide a company supervisor for the project and remain closely involved to ensure delivery of commercially-relevant outcomes. The PhD student is also supervised by 2 academic experts from the University of Edinburgh.

During the first year of the programme the students are based mostly in Edinburgh as they will be undergoing a comprehensive training programme. During the years 2-4 of the programme their time will be divided between the partner company and the University. The exact arrangements would be decided with the company for each project to suit their project requirements. After completion of the programme which lasts 4 years,  graduates typically enter employment with their company sponsor. Programme provides a high-quality talent candidates who help their host company deliver new innovative products and services.

The University of Edinburgh is also partnering with the EIT Digital (European Technology Institute) which provides co-funding for the Fintech Doctoral Programme for their member companies. EIT Digital also provides access to innovation funding for companies for commercialisation of fintech products and services which could also be of interest to many companies.

We are currently recruiting projects for the first intake of students. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact ksenia.siedlecka@ei.ed.ac.uk More information: https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/collaborate/access-research-expertise/fintech-doctoral-programme

Calling all ambitious women in tech! Apply for Special Edition today

Applications are now open for TRC’s Special Edition: a life-changing’ professional development programme for women in Scotland’s digital and tech sector looking to progress their careers in the industry.

At TRC we believe that gender equality in the boardroom is paramount to the wider diversity of Scotland’s digital sector, which is why we created Special Edition to empower women to achieve their full potential and claim their place in the boardroom.

What to expect?

Special Edition is a six-month training programme delivered by TRC: a Glasgow-based training body for the broadcast and digital industries.

Monthly training sessions will help boost your confidence, improve your entrepreneurial skills, expand professional networks and progress your career in digital. The initiative includes formal workshops delivered by leading industry trainers PLUS an international field trip to meet with inspiring people making moves in the digital world.

The programme has supported 42 women in Scotland’s digital sector since its launch in 2013, many of whom have gone on to secure significant job promotions and board appointments since completing the programme.

Delegates of last year’s programme said:

“My Special Edition experience has been absolutely life-changing. I was promoted to a new and exciting role as a result of an opportunity I seized thanks only to confidence gained during the course. I have a whole new mindset and perspective that has changed how I think, how I feel about myself and what I have to offer the world. That’s the greatest outcome, and more than I ever expected.” Serina MacDonald, Head of Activation, Associate Director at Amplifi – part of the Dentsu Aegis Network

“Special Edition is a sisterhood and the most valuable network I’ll ever have in my career.” 
Alanna Innes, Product Owner at xDesign

“To anyone thinking about applying for the course, don’t even think about it. Just do it. I pondered for a while before applying as I doubted that I would be good enough to be selected. You are good enough! Given everything I have learned, the confidence gained and my improved mindset, it scares me to think what I would have missed out on had I not clicked that button!”
Serina MacDonald, Head of Activation, Associate Director at Amplifi

Applications are now open via the TRC websiteand will close on 1^stAugust 2019.