Funding from the brand-new £2 billion Government scheme, Kickstart, has provided young people across Bury with six-month work placements, and the opportunity to gain vital career-enhancing skills. Bury College, as a registered Kickstart gateway provider, has supported many young people and local businesses throughout their placements.

We Do Code, a software development business based in Bury, has employed two new Kickstarts, Aaron Goddard and Jordan Harrison.

Aaron, 20, lives in Ramsbottom, and joined We Do Code after gaining a triple Distinction in Level 3 IT at Bury College. The former Woodhey High School student has been spending his first three weeks with We Do Code completing training courses, and developing a better understanding of coding. He said, “the best part of the job is looking at the end-product you have helped make – it is very satisfying.” He aims to progress through the business as it grows.

Jordan, 21, already had some experience of coding through a three week-intensive course with Code Nation, but has particularly enjoyed learning new coding languages through his training with We Do Code. He is proud of the teamwork skills he has developed, through working remotely and linking up with the rest of the team to create solutions. Jordan, who attended Hazel Wood High School, said, “I really enjoy the feeling of overcoming challenges. It can be the tiniest thing that doesn’t work with your code, so you have to be meticulous when trying to solve any problems.” In the future, Jordan wants to own his own businesses in a variety of different areas, including coding and web design.

David Beere, the Managing Director of We Do Code, said, “Jordan and Aaron have come into the business energetic and excited, willing to be involved and learn, which is really important in a small business, and especially for those in junior developer roles. I am very impressed with their work ethic. They will benefit our business long-term, helping with client projects as we expand. The funding we receive as part of the Kickstart Scheme has been really helpful, as it has meant that we can provide them with the training that best benefits our business and sets them up for their future careers.”