A fully trained group of Barclays employees, the Digital Eagles, shared their coding knowledge with Channel Islanders during this year’s National Coding Week.
The Digital Eagles are on a mission to share their digital expertise and are committed to making digital technologies accessible to all. From understanding emojis through to coding, they are available to help people of all ages build their digital skills and confidence to ensure nobody is left behind.
Kris Moors, relationship director at Barclays Corporate and International in Jersey said: “Barclays are proud to support National Coding Week and it’s been great to work closely with its founder Richard Rolfe to offer sessions introducing the public to coding.”
Introductory coding sessions took place at the Digital Greenhouse Guernsey and the Jersey Library, the location of a new Barclays Eagle Lab which will open later this year. The Lab will be available as a resource for local business start-ups to access expert mentoring, 3D printers and laser cutters.
Aimed at adults, the sessions taught attendees how to use micro:bit, a pocket sized programmable computer and Scratch, a visual programming language.
Designed by the BBC, micro:bit was rolled out to schools across the UK earlier this year. It encourages children and young people to be actively involved in writing software for computers and to build new technologies in a fun and engaging way.
Richard Rolfe, co-founder at National Coding Week, said: “Having been brought up using digital technologies such as smart phones, the internet and taking part in coding classes, children are part of a confident digital generation.
“The aim of National Coding Week is to give everyone the opportunity to learn vital digital skills in a fun and engaging way, an aim which the Barclays Digital Eagles share.
“By hosting sessions targeted at adults, the unemployed, school leavers, people with disabilities and those with a keen interest to learn, Barclays shared their digital knowledge to those who would not normally be able to access those skills.”
The Digital Eagles run regular Code Playground and Tea and Teach sessions in Guernsey and Jersey and provide helpful how-to video guides offering practical tips on how to get started online at: http://www.barclays.co.uk/DigitalEagles/P1242671738729