Glasgow Caledonian University launches new tech scholarships in partnership with Scottish Tech Army

A new partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and the Scottish Tech Army aims to boost career development opportunities in the tech sector.

Glasgow Caledonian University has announced 30 new computing scholarships, allowing those working in digital technology to develop their knowledge and gain formal qualifications.

Run in partnership with the Scottish Tech Army and supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the scholarships will cover the tuition fees of up to six modules in IT software development. 

The flexible, online courses are designed to build depth of knowledge in areas such as programming, network and cloud computing, software engineering, maths for computing and database development.

Each module carries academic credit. When they complete all six modules, students will be awarded a 120-credit Certificate of Higher Education in Computing from GCU, which is equivalent to completion of the first year of a BSc Software Development for Business programme at GCU.

The programme has been developed to benefit people who do not currently have a computing degree or qualification, those working in software development but without formal qualifications, and primary or secondary teachers looking to improve their knowledge of computing science.

The scheme is taking applications now, with programmes due to start on 19 January 2021. 

GCU’s assistant vice principal business partnerships and director of the Institute for University to Business Education (U2B) Fiona Stewart-Knight said: “We are delighted to announce that GCU has developed a strategic partnership with Scottish Tech Army. 

“We want to mobilise talent and bridge qualifications and skills gaps at a time when there is a more challenging employment landscape and a struggling economy that has been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This pioneering project will enable successful candidates to substantially advance their software development knowledge, practice and qualifications through online study with GCU at first year degree level while also benefitting from industrial mentor support and tech challenge integration from the Scottish Tech Army.” 

Alistair Forbes, CEO of the Scottish Tech Army, said: “We have seen at first hand the challenges that many people in the tech sector in Scotland, particularly those in the early stages of their careers, have been facing as a result of the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The gap between the world of education and training and the world of work has definitely widened and it is a core part of our mission to help bridge that gap.

“That is why we were delighted to have the opportunity to work with GCU on this programme and to promote it to the volunteers within the Scottish Tech Army and beyond.

“We believe that this initiative is an excellent example of the innovative partnership working that has been a really positive development as organisations across Scotland respond to the challenges that were caused by the pandemic.

“The social and economic recovery process will take time but we are confident that this programme will help to accelerate significantly the career development of all those that participate in it.”

GCU and the Scottish Tech Army are running information sessions for those interested in applying for the scholarships.