Local business co-creating the “best computing degree in the UK”
Redruth-based software company Headforwards has collaborated with Cornwall College to create what it hopes will be the "best, most relevant tech degree course in the UK".
Earlier this year, Headforwards developed the coursework element of the college’s Computing, Networking and Software Development Foundation Degree course, and gave students a genuine business project to work on.
Success of the module means that over the next year, the company will change more of the course content and start to involve other businesses.
Toby Parkins, Director at Headforwards, said: “Tech is advancing so rapidly that keeping up in terms of course content is a real challenge. When a college creates a course, the whole process can take 18 months or more, so it’s really difficult for modules to remain relevant.
“Students studying Computing at Cornwall College have been working on a real project from one of our clients at Headforwards; so real that if the students hadn’t done it, one of my team would have had to. That kind of industry experience at this level – dealing with real clients and real technologies, talking to Headforwards Directors about the type of tech that could be used, and working closely with other software developers, is invaluable and will make the difference between a graduate being work-ready at the end of their course, or not.”
In March this year, Tech South West released a report that showed Cornwall as being the fastest growing tech sector in the South West, with an 18% predicted year on year growth rate over the period 2021 to 2026.
Toby comments: “The average job in the software sector in Cornwall is double the average salary. This is a fantastic industry to get into and provides young people in the Duchy with the option of staying put and carving out a very successful career. Now, we have an outstanding course to set students up for that career, right here in Cornwall as well.”
Cornwall College has welcomed the new partnership. Rory Mason, VP Quality of Education, GFE, at The Cornwall College Group said: “Cornwall College is known as the career college, and this is why we are so pleased with our ever-strengthening partnership with Headforwards. For students in Cornwall and beyond to have access to one of the best computing courses in the country, with genuine industry experience is fantastic.
“We would strongly urge anyone who wants to fast track their career in computing to get in touch, as they will quickly find themselves in demand and benefitting from the great salaries and career progression that this sector is providing.”
Blurring the boundaries between education and business is a key objective of the recently opened FibreHub, adjacent to the college.
Toby adds: “Every time we blur the line between education and business we create a dialogue between our practitioners – people that are developing software everyday, and the course leaders. The two sides should not operate in isolation – we need each other.
“We are creating what I am confident will become the best, most relevant tech degree course in the UK.”
Spaces are available on the September 2022 Computing, Networking and Software Development Foundation Degree at Cornwall College. The course can be topped up with a 12 month, level six course if desired to achieve a full BSc (Hons) Computing Technologies.
More information at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fdsc-computing-networking-and-software-development
