CodeDoor Scholarship Success
ACH have been working with CodeDoor since August 2017. The aims of the programme are to educate refugees and migrants in coding, as these under-represented groups could be the answer to addressing the skills gap within the technology industry. You can read more about the CodeDoor programme here.
Rashiid is one of the students currently on the CodeDoor scholarship and is in the process of studying his Nanodegree, the 3rd step of the programme. To add to this success, Rashiid has also gained quality training support with not-for-profit cooperative, The Developer Society. The 21-year-old has always had an interest in technology as his father does the same thing and has inspired his interests. That’s why when a family friend told him about the upcoming CodeDoor scholarship with ACH, Rashiid decided to apply straight away.
Terry Williamson, ACH CodeDoor Training Coordinator, said “Rashiid has been the best candidate we have had on the programme so far. He picked it up quite quickly, within 2 weeks, where we normally expect candidates to take around 4 weeks. He’s been very easy to liaise and communicate with and he’s one of the few people who has truly understood the potential and opportunity that is being presented here.”
Rashiid is enjoying his course and it has helped him to expand his knowledge; “before I did this course I did have a background in Python but ever since I started the course I have been exposed to new and different things and different ways of working. It’s also very engaging in the way it’s taught.”
In September 2018, Rashiid obtained a supported placement 3 days a week with The Developer Society who previously approached CodeDoor and ACH to see if there was a way they could facilitate a learner. The Developer Society are keen enthusiasts of diversity in the workplace and have previously partnered with groups such as DS WorkFit and Exceptional Individuals to support the building of a diverse and talented team, therefore them working with CodeDoor seemed like a perfect fit.
“We’re really excited about creating opportunities for people who might not have had this opportunity before, and we’re excited about Rashiid’s future and how hopefully this might progress for him. We are happy to be as much a part of it as we can be,” says Steve Hawkes, Co-founder of The Developer Society. He encourages other businesses to get involved with the programme as it focuses on diversity, improves social responsibility and supports under-represented people.
Rashiid has thoroughly enjoyed his placement so far, explaining to us how friendly the staff are and how much he has learnt. They even welcomed him with a basket of gifts which made a fantastic first impression on him.
“Hopefully after finishing the Nanodegree I will be able to find an IT job quite easily, with the experiences and references I have built up from The Developer Society and the qualification I will have gained – so that’s what I hope for,” explains Rashiid.
Terry explains that the help doesn’t stop when he finishes his Nanodegree; “we will certainly be backing Rashiid and helping him to find a good starting opportunity for his career.”
If you would like to find out more about the CodeDoor programme, whether as a student or an employer, please contact marketing@ach.org.uk.
