We asked the rising stars of previous Women in Software lists what they wish they’d been told earlier on in their careers…

Getting more women into the tech industry has been a hot issue for the past decade, yet the percentage of women employed in tech in the UK has barely moved from 15.7% in 2009 to 17% today, with women in only 10% of leadership roles in the industry. At the same time, while one-third of male British students have had a career in technology suggested to them, only 16% of young women have been offered the same suggestion, according to this PwC report.

We’re being the change we want to see by bringing back our annual Women in Software initiative…

Everywhere you look, you’ll find trailblazing women rising through the ranks and shaping the landscape of tech. But with the number of women occupying tech roles in the UK hovering around 17%, tech is still very much a male-dominated industry. It’s not just about numbers, either: the pandemic has further highlighted the disparities between men and women when it comes to their experiences as tech workers.

Amidst 2020’s chaotic transition to a digital-first world, it was found that women in tech were nearly twice as likely as men to lose their jobs or be furloughed due to the pandemic. On…

We’re launching a progressive and flexible option featuring a blend of in-person and remote learning, less screen time, and a broader range of group projects.

When Jaycee Cheong started training remotely at Makers in early 2017, she noticed that the time she would have spent commuting now went towards mindful activities instead, such as cooking and yoga at home. This wasn’t the only benefit.

She also saw that working entirely remotely meant there were extra challenges when it came to effective communication. This pushed her to become stronger at both verbal or written communication, and in turn, led to more…

When you’re stuck on a coding problem, it can make you feel crazy. It’s easy to want to rip out your hair or the screen or whatever’s nearby. But instead, maybe your first thought should be to grab a rubber duck.

Yes, the kind that little kids have in the bath. How can a rubber duck help with your code? Read on to find out why rubber ducking is a process that software engineers worldwide use.

What is rubber duck debugging?

Rubber duck debugging is a method of finding that bug preventing your software from running. The Pragmatic Programmer by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas…

We’re launching a progressive and flexible option featuring a blend of in-person and remote learning, less screen time, and a broader range of group projects.

When you want to become a software developer, there are several options: You can do a computer science degree, you can apply for a job straight off the bat, or you can attend a coding bootcamp.

Retraining at a coding bootcamp sets you up better for a career change for several reasons:

1. You’re likely to get hired (and progress) faster than if you learn entirely on your own;
2. The intense environment catalyses your learning at a speed that is hard to replicate independently;
3. The close ties to the tech industry mean that you’re likely to learn more relevant practices.

Businesses…

Go into any company and you’ll often find that the ‘summer lull’ is the quietest time of year. Desks are empty, the OOO’s are on, and nearly everyone is outside enjoying the summer sun. This is why summer is the ideal time to retrain into a new career. That is especially true when it comes to doing a coding bootcamp like Makers, where you proceed to the job-hunt only a few months after starting.

What makes summer a great time to retrain?

1. You’ll graduate in autumn, which is the best time of year to be looking for work.

When summer comes to an end, so too do the holidays. As soon as autumn rolls around, people…

By Kay Lack, Chief Training Officer

For any employers looking to find out more about the new Level 4 Software Development Apprenticeships standard, this high level summary will tell you everything you need to know.

In short, it’s good news! Our interpretation is that the new standard will be a lot easier for both employers and apprentices alike. This means:

• Inefficiencies are reduced
• Less strain on the line manager
• More relevant, real-world curriculum
• More time in work for apprentices to contribute on the ground

Here’s a summary of the changes

1. New: Introduction of Duties

Employers will now hire people into jobs containing specific “Duties”…

It’s a year since the murder of George Floyd. Like many organisations, we’ve been reflecting on whether we’re really doing our part to build a more inclusive society, starting with our own organisation and with the tech sector we support. Our vision at Makers is of a tech sector that reflects the society that it serves, and in which everyone can find a job that they love.

When I joined as CEO in September last year I felt proud of the impact we had had in changing the gender complexion of the UK tech industry. We’ve graduated 2000 alumni, 35%…