New computer skills course to boost career prospects for young people
Designed for 14 to 19-year-olds, the Certificate in Applied Computing will be included in the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc).
It covers essential digital skills including data handling, web design, and artificial intelligence.
Developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the certificate is designed to support young people in gaining high-quality technical skills, regardless of whether they have chosen traditional computing qualifications.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "This new certificate from Raspberry Pi Foundation is exactly the kind of innovation we had in mind when we launched the MBacc.
"It gives young people real digital skills that employers are crying out for and shows Greater Manchester doing what devolution allows us to do best: responding to local need with bold, practical solutions."
The programme is free, self-paced, and requires no teacher marking.
Upon completion of each stage, students receive a certificate from the Raspberry Pi Foundation to support college or job applications.
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The certificate is being launched at the MBacc Summit, following a pilot involving 92 students from seven Greater Manchester schools.
It will initially roll out to 14–15-year-olds across 251 schools in the city region.
Rachel Arthur, chief learning officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, said: "We're proud to launch our new Certificate in Applied Computing with Greater Manchester – a place that shares our belief in giving all young people the tools they need to thrive."
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