Background

The Digital Greenhouse is Guernsey’s Innovation Hub, which launched in 2016 to support effective collaboration, co-working, networking and learning to enable successful innovation and entrepreneurialism to thrive in Guernsey.

One of the core areas of work is growing digital futures and pathways, where we work with our partners to run events, courses and programmes to build digital skills and promote careers in the digital and creative sectors.  

“We are really pleased to be working with National Coding Week again, for the fifth year running. Whilst we know that not all jobs in the future will be ‘tech’ roles, most will have the need to interact or utilise digital platforms and tools.

Lucy Kirby – Director, Digital Greenhouse

Why did you get involved in National Coding Week?

This year Guernsey is in a unique position, having been hit with Covid-19, Guernsey managed to control it quickly, coming out of lockdown in June with no active cases since.  Being covid-free and out of lockdown has enabled events in Guernsey to go ahead as normal without the need for any social distancing measures unlike many other jurisdictions.

While we can run events physically at the Digital Greenhouse we will be looking to run some of the National Coding Week events in a blended way allowing those who cannot make it to the event to watch via live stream.

Alongside National Coding Week we will also be releasing a series of podcasts covering some of the subjects discussed during the week for people to listen back to.

“We are really pleased to be working with National Coding Week again, for the fifth year running. Whilst we know that not all jobs in the future will be ‘tech’ roles, most will have the need to interact or utilise digital platforms and tools. Therefore, it is ever more important to empower people of all ages to feel confident using technology and to be inspired to continue to learn. This is at the heart of a week focused on digital skills and new ways of working for everyone in our community.” – Lucy Kirby – Director, Digital Greenhouse

What are you planning this year?

The Digital Greenhouse has run a series of events for National Coding Week since we opened in 2016. We first decided to take part in National Coding Week to celebrate everything digital on the island and to enable us to link up with the larger international community, all with the same goal of developing and promoting digital skills across all levels. Over the last 5 years National Coding Week has become a key date in the calendar with us holding 32 events and seeing over 600 people coming through the doors for our events.

This year at the Digital Greenhouse we will again be hosting a series of events across the week focused on celebrating digital and developing digital skills. It will have something to cater for those of all levels, we will be running an intro to coding session for those who want to start their journey.

For our older generation and those with less tech experience we will be running some sessions on online safety and introductions to use of technology devices with the University of the 3rd Age. The week’s events will also feature a number of talks and panels discussing subjects including inclusive design and AI decision making.

National Coding Week will conclude with the return of Future Rewired, a day long Tech festival at the Digital Greenhouse aimed at those who are working in or interested in the technology sector. It will feature 16 talks and workshops from speakers throughout the day. The event will have three themes of deep dives into different tech areas, showcases of local products being made and highlights of innovations in the tech area. 

Conclusion

Over the last 5 years National Coding Week has become a key date in the calendar with us holding 32 events and seeing over 600 people coming through the doors for our events.

We are looking forward to once again welcoming people to the Digital Greenhouse for National Coding Week to learn new skills, develop existing ones and meet like minded people. Full information on the Digital Greenhouse’s event series for National Coding Week will be posted on our website at digitalgreenhouse.gg.

Be sure to follow the Digital Greenhouse on social media to hear the latest about our events and programmes.