THROUGH THE CODING CLUB , WE AIM TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF FUTURE SKILLS SHORTAGES BY PLANTING A MUCH-NEEDED SEED OF INSPIRATION AT A YOUNGER AGE .
INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
Red Helix tackles cyber skills shortage with new coding club for primary school children
Red Helix , a leading UK cybersecurity managed service provider , has launched an innovative coding club for primary school children that will provide them with additional exposure to the real world applications of science , technology , engineering and mathematics ( STEM ). The goal of this project is to start addressing the chronic shortage of cyber skills in the UK and encourage more diversity in the sector , with a specific focus on aiding social mobility . This will be achieved by targeting the programme at children from primary schools with higher pupil premium rates .
The club is initially being run for Year 5 and 6 students from Elmhurst School in Aylesbury , an Academy of the Great Learners Trust , with the intent to further their interest of STEM from an early age . It will run for six weeks over the summer term and will see its participants create their own , personalised infinity mirrors with a coded control system activating different colours on the LED lights running along the outside of the mirror .
Red Helix believes that by providing children with new learning opportunities and additional insight to the practical applications of STEM , it can help them unlock a new passion – and ultimately provide a long-term boost to the cybersecurity sector .
Alongside the immediate educational potential of the coding club initiative , there are also aspirations to establish a longterm relationship between Red Helix and Elmhurst School and to inspire other IT and cybersecurity companies to do the same . With cybercrime consistently rising , the need for talent in the industry is growing . More partnerships between IT and cybersecurity organisations and educational institutes will help foster a new generation of cyber-literate individuals and make important steps towards bolstering the UK ’ s national cyber defences .
“ We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Red Helix in launching this coding club ,” said Dawn Hanwell , STEM Leader and Teacher at Elmhurst School . “ It is great to see a local company taking an interest in our children ’ s future and providing them with expert knowledge . We can ’ t wait to see our students getting involved and we believe more schools would benefit from partnerships like this .”
While the first coding club is being run only for the children of Elmhurst School , Red Helix plans to bring the project to other schools
THROUGH THE CODING CLUB , WE AIM TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF FUTURE SKILLS SHORTAGES BY PLANTING A MUCH-NEEDED SEED OF INSPIRATION AT A YOUNGER AGE .
in the future – including a more advanced club for secondary schools – and will share details of the programme with other schools and organisations to allow them to replicate it locally . p
“ There is a pressing need for more cybersecurity skills in the UK ,” said Marion Stewart , CEO , Red Helix . “ As security providers , we have a responsibility to address this , not only now , but looking towards the future as well . Through the coding club , we aim to mitigate the impact of future skills shortages by planting a much-needed seed of inspiration at a younger age – with a focus on greater inclusion from a more diverse range of children and young people .”
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