The BBC has launched Make it Digital, a UK-wide initiative designed to inspire a new generation to get involved with coding, programming and digital technology. The scheme will see a coding device granted to every child in year 7 across the UK; the creation of up to 5,000 digital trainees; partnerships with around 50 organisations; and the launch of a season of dedicated BBC programmes and online activity.
The UK is facing a significant skills shortage with 1.4 million digital professionals needed over the next five years. BBC Make it Digital will focus on digital creativity, aiming to improve the nation’s digital skills, through a range of new programmes, partnerships and projects. These include:
– A major partnership to develop and give a Micro Bit coding device to all year 7 children across the UK for free to inspire a future generation: 1 million devices in total
– A season of programmes and online activity involving the BBC brands, including including Doctor Who (pictured), EastEnders, Radio 1, The One Show, Children in Need, and BBC Weather, as well a new BBC Two drama and documentary
– The Make it Digital Traineeship to create opportunities for up to 5,000 young unemployed people
– Partnerships with around 50 major organisations across the UK, including Apps for Good, Barclays, British Computing Society, BT, DWP, Google, Microsoft, Nesta, Samsung, Skills Funding Agency
– A range of formal education activities and events
“This is exactly what the BBC is all about – bringing the industry together on an unprecedented scale and making a difference to millions,” said BBC director general, Tony Hall. “Just as we did with the BBC Micro in the 1980s, we want to inspire the digital visionaries of the future. Only the BBC can bring partners together to attempt something this ambitious, this important to Britain’s future on the world stage.
“BBC Make it Digital could help digital creativity become as familiar and fundamental as writing, and I’m truly excited by what Britain, and future great Britons, can achieve.”
