Research from BCS and Tech Nation shows that only only 19% of the digital tech workforce is female, compared to 49% across all UK jobs. Over the past year there has also been a small increase in the percentage of black women working in Tech roles from 0.3% in 2019 to 0.7% in 2020 (BCS’ study based on Office for National Statistics employment data). However The Founders of Niyo Enterprise (Oyinkansola ‘Oyin’ Adebayo and Olaoluwa ‘Laolu’ Dada) believe that immersive technology which includes Virtual reality (VR) , Augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality could be a brilliant way to fill the gender gap in technology.
The recent rise of female gaming groups such as Black Girl Gamers and online platforms for “black female techies” has brought a distinctive change to the perception of what a ‘Gamer’ or “Coder” could look like and even more awareness to the lack of representation in Virtual reality (VR) , Augmented reality and mixed reality sector.
As their work on the Black Codher Bootcamp has extended opportunities to black women who want to change career, learn how to code and be employed as Full Stack developers has gained national attention. They have ventured into their next winning streak. Founders of Niyo Enterprise (Oyinkansola ‘Oyin’ Adebayo and Olaoluwa ‘Laolu’ Dada) have once again secured a contract to facilitate Accelerator Bootcamps that are uniquely designed for the benefit of Black female business founders with disruptive tech ideas and Black females career changers in the tech industry.
The Niyo Network have launched the first of these bootcamp accelerators the “Black Disruptor : XR Bootcamp’ which will be launching in May 2021 and they have partnered with Taran3D to deliver a dynamic, 3D and Immersive bootcamp offering black women living within the West Midlands a chance to train in VR , 3D design and Immersive tech industry skills for free on a 16-week intensive bootcamp.
The Black Disruptor : XR Bootcamp has been designed to afford black women who are 18 and above, unemployed or employed with a salary upto £25 K pa the opportunity to learn skills in Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) to become utility developers by offering training and providing job readiness for the tech industry for free.
Women, especially black women have been underrepresented in the VR and Immersive tech sector for some time, “The programme is doing something exciting and disruptive, in order to bring about change! Tech doesn’t need to be a male-dominated industry if women are given access and encouraged to pursue careers in the industry”.
Black women are still heavily under-represented in IT & Tech roles in comparison, across other occupations their level of representation is 2.5 times higher (according to BCS chartered Institute for IT), so this is a timely initiative which will empower black women to enter a booming industry. There is also a greater demand for 3D and Immersive technology developers than there is a supply so the bootcamp will be delivering fresh talent to the tech force in roles that are needed.
The programme is facilitated by professionals who work in tech and is supported by the work of mentors who are also tech professionals to ensure the women on the bootcamp are fully immersed in a learning experience that empowers them and is attractive for higher paid employment.
For Employers this is a brilliant opportunity to recruit from a cohort of black women who have been trained to focus not only on execution of interactive and blended learning styles but unique design skills that are in demand for the Immersive Technology sector.
Features of the Accelerator Bootcamp:
The skills taught will qualify you to work as a Unity developer, interactive applications, games design and AR & VR developer roles:
- Training is delivered by Highly skilled facilitators with upto 15 years experience
- Course content is aligned to Industry specific rolesIncrease career prospects
- Opportunity to secure employment after the Bootcamp
Deadline to Apply 9th April 2021 , 11:59pm, Apply HERE
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