DIGITAL skills seekers looking to get ahead in the job market are celebrating the launch of a new free computer course.

Codeworks was developed to bridge the gap in knowledge between job seekers and the web-based skills increasingly required in the job market.

The course creates opportunities for learners to develop digital skills, including coding and web development to enhance their employability.

Julie Struthers took part in Codeworks: Developer earlier this year as a stepping stone back into the field of engineering.

She said: “Having been an engineer for a long time, I took a career break and worked in early years’ education, but I knew I wanted to go back to engineering.

"Even though I have good qualifications I’ve been out of engineering for so long and I don’t feel I have the experience I need anymore.

"I’ve struggled with lack of experience so I knew I needed some new skills, and I needed to be more up to date.

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"I’d done some programming in the past and I did really like that. I was searching online for help to develop my skills, when I found the Codeworks programme."

Julie signed up for the eight week programme online, and met her tutor at the city’s Mitchell and Pollok libraries throughout the course.

She said: "The first thing that attracted me to the course was that it’s free and flexible, which is really good, but it also wasn’t too isolating because you get a tutor.

"I didn’t fancy something that was totally online – you know, a faceless thing, where you don’t meet anybody.

"I meet with my tutor weekly, plus I can chat to other people on the course at those sessions too."

Having worked through the five course sections designed to explore programming, the internet of things, cyber security and digital marketing, Julie is looking forward to progressing to the next Codeworks level in the autumn.

She said: "Programming was definitely my favourite part, but you do need to know about the other areas too.

"The Developer course provided an introduction but the next level, Codeworks Pro, is apparently quite a jump so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

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"I’d certainly recommend the course.

"Someone could even do it while working in a totally different field if they were just thinking about a career change, because it’s not as big a leap as quitting your job or spending a lot of money on a course."

Supported by J.P. Morgan and delivered in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College, the flexible Codeworks courses are delivered online and supported by tutor-led drop in sessions at Glasgow Kelvin College campuses and Glasgow Libraries city-wide.

Ranging from entry level Codeworks: Digital for those with little or no computer skills to the more advanced Codeworks: Developer and Codeworks: Pro, the courses offer a range of learning options tailored to individual need.

Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow Life, said: "Every day, our world is becoming more and more reliant on technology and that’s why I’m delighted that Glasgow Life has partnered with JP Morgan and Glasgow Kelvin College to deliver the Codeworks programme, offering people of all ages the chance to engage with new technology, nurturing creativity and teaching logic and problem-solving skills through computer programming."

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To find out more see www.glasgowlife.org.uk/codeworks