DCMS challenge

Following a strategy review, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) chose QA to:

• create a flexible innovative programme to attract women into cyber security software developer roles;
• work with Industry providers to place successful candidates into employment;
• attract women looking to reskill or return to the workforce to attend the programme.

How we have supported DCMS

Through mid- to late 2019, we worked with DCMS to:

• create a 12-week bespoke Cyber Security software developer programme;
• work with industry partners in a number of sectors to identify recruitment demand and encourage them to adopt the programme, which was match funded by DCMS;
• design, launch and deliver a blended 12-week programme, targeted at career changers and returners from career breaks.

Our impact

Since starting delivery in late 2019, we have delivered:

• Two cohorts of female learners, totalling 17 learners all who then took up employment with industry providers;
• Improved in-house diversity and cyber security skills, and each cohort delivers:
  • Targeted recruitment and learning ensuring new hires have the right skills;
  • Improved diversity and broader awareness of this model;
• Two cohorts of women now working in critical defence companies supporting the national effort.