Sally Caughey, UK Head of Digital Inclusion at Capgemini, writes about the company's 50th Code Your Future (CYF) graduate having joined Capgemini on a permanent basis.

Throughout her career with Capgemini, Sally has worked in various roles on client transformation programs. She’s a passionate advocate of the positive difference technology and digital solutions can bring to every organization and individual. Leading Capgemini’s digital inclusion program in the UK since 2018, she’s focused on how business can help to make sure that everyone can benefit from the digital revolution.

Helping disadvantaged individuals become software engineers

Sally began working with CodeYourFuture, an innovative, non-profit charity, in 2018, aiming to create a program that would help CYF fulfil its ambition to support refugees and disadvantaged individuals in becoming software engineers with free, volunteer-led courses.

Committing to hire at the heart of the program

Capgemini became CYF's first corporate partner to offer end-to-end support through the sponsorship of the CYF training program.

"As well as funding a course, this saw us providing mentors and business coaches and, crucially, committing to offer employment to programme graduates. Today, we remain CYF’s biggest corporate sponsor," explains Sally.

Creating a scalable, replicable approach

Capgemini's partnership has naturally evolved. As well as working to ensure employment success for the students, Capgemini has now created a completely scalable, replicable approach that’s suitable for other organizations to roll out.

"And we are already sharing our approach – through a blueprint that encompasses volunteers, giving access and exposure to real work experiences and networks, enabling students to develop the soft skills needed to succeed and, of course, by committing to hire," adds Sally.

What employment means

Sally is proud of the students and their achievements.

"Madiha Khan, who joined us from the first cohort, was a finalist in the Women in Tech Excellence Awards in the Outstanding Returner category. But more than their successes as employees, I have been struck by what our sponsorship has meant for those who’ve completed their training and are now employed by our business," she explains.

Sally also shares the story of Tayfun Aydogan who, after his military career came to a sudden end, struggled to find a way forward until he realised the answer lay in acquiring digital skills.

Here’s what Tayfun told Sally: “Throughout the program, I felt included, not only upskilling myself at Capgemini workshops and study clubs, but also collaborating on challenges with colleagues. Working with other Capgemini professionals at Hackathon-2020 nailed my decision to join the company. Sharing the same values, transforming the future, I am sure that Capgemini is the right place for me. I am delighted to be a part of this collaborative workforce where we reshape the digitalized future.”

Capturing the imagination of volunteers

Capgemini's 500 volunteers help make this possible. The partnership with CYF has enabled them to have meaningful social impact by volunteering to help more people benefit from the digital revolution.

"Building mentoring relationships with students and running training opportunities such as hackathons are popular as they can make a real difference in boosting the confidence of programme participants, which is essential for employment. Our volunteers have helped build a community of software engineers that’s ready to help all its members excel," says Sally.

Scaling to support more people

Sally shares how Capgemini started with a pilot project and over time, and have scaled the number of students and reach, doubling its courses (Digital Academies) year-on-year and expanding to new locations.

In 2019, Capgemini ran one class of 25 students. In 2020, the company ran two classes for 50 students. In 2021, it ran four courses for 128 students. Capgemini now delivers its CYF Digital Academies in London, Birmingham and Manchester, and it also assists CYF classes in Glasgow with job opportunities and support from volunteers.

The journey continues

What next for Capgemini's partnership with CodeYourFuture?

"Well, it continues to evolve and last year we announced a new three-year partnership contract," says Sally.

"Through this, we expect to support at least 300 individuals over the next three years as they develop both their digital skills and the soft skills required to succeed at work."

"It’s clear from this, that our partnership with CYF is going from strength to strength. We are able to give the charity a view on market demand based on what our clients are requesting. This enables CYF to adapt and evolve the curriculum, and to better prepare students for what the market wants. In turn, as we extend participation in the CYF Digital Academies, we are creating access to new and more diverse sources of talent to support our recruitment strategy at a time when the widening tech skills gaps is a challenge for all organisations," she continues.

"Of course, in the end, this is all about the students. Which is why I am delighted that, through this partnership, all our CYF graduates are now employable as software engineers. The list of organisations employing CYF graduates, shared on CYF’s own website, is testament to its success. It’s been wonderful to watch these graduates continue to grow in confidence as they build their experience and seize the opportunity to fast track their careers into the tech industry. I look forward to seeing the next steps on their career journeys!"

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