David Richards has set up a new venture in Yorkshire to train developers, generate jobs and invest in start-ups.
The co-founder, CEO and Chairman of WANdisco has established EyUp to offer opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are under-represented in the tech sector.
“Local and global economies are crying out for people with the right skills – latest annual figures show more than 150,000 digital tech job openings in Yorkshire and 4,400 in Sheffield,” he explained.
“EyUp will teach people to code, help them find jobs as developers, nurture new start-ups and contribute to social and economic wellbeing.
“Education should be the foundation of regeneration and EyUp will help individuals realise their potential and spread success across our communities.
“We want to provide a meaningful alternative to university by offering more hands-on experience in four months than students would typically get in a three-year degree programme.”
The organisation will be divided into:
– EyUp Skills, which will run a 16-week full-time course in partnership with the iO Academy coding bootcamp;
– EyUp Jobs, to help course graduates to find roles and provide assurance to employers that candidates “have reached an outstanding level of competency.”
– EyUp Ventures to provide start-up capital, investment knowledge and operating experience to new companies in northern England.
“Investment in the skills and careers of our people is at the forefront of South Yorkshire’s renewal and growth in the coming years, so I’m incredibly pleased to see the launch of EyUp in Sheffield,” added James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
“To ensure our region has the opportunities needed to build a stronger, greener and fairer economy for everyone, we need to invest in our people and businesses, and improving digital skills is integral to this.
“The guidance and expertise EyUp will offer to graduates and businesses is very welcomed and it’s great to see the team’s enthusiasm and commitment to South Yorkshire.”
