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The Scion Scheme, created by Wymondham-based digital agency Netmatters, enables people to develop the technical skills necessary to become a junior developer in as little as six months as well as providing career mentoring and help with employability skills.

At the end of the programme, candidates are ‘job-ready’ and fully supported with their transition into employment.

Scion Plus will extend the scheme into Suffolk and aims to train 48 learners to developer level and move 36 of them into jobs. A total of 5,000 training days will be delivered and 100 businesses engaged in a Digital Employer Network.

The award of £100,000 from the LEP’s Innovative Projects Fund comes after Netmatters became the first Norfolk business to receive a Princess Royal Training Award. It was one of just 43 organisations to be named in the fifth year of the awards scheme.

The Innovative Projects Fund is a revenue grant programme that provides funding towards innovative projects that support the delivery of the themes and activities identified in the region’s Economic and Industrial Strategies.

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of the LEP, said: “Skills development is crucial to Norfolk and Suffolk’s future prosperity and Scion Plus will not only help train the software developers of the future, but ensure they are ‘job-ready’.

“The tech industry is one of our key sectors and it needs that constant pipeline of people coming through if it is to respond to its rapidly changing demands.”

James Gulliver, Managing Director of Netmatters, said: “The Scion Scheme gives future developers more than just the skills they need, it also helps them find the confidence to secure a role in this ever-changing industry. Our Scions are working with us full time whilst they undertake the training and they get involved with life at Netmatters. We’re thrilled to be working with the LEP to bring this opportunity to people in Suffolk as well.”

Netmatters in Norwich began its Scion Scheme three years ago after realising that while there was no shortage of talented people, making the transition into the world of tech was difficult.

The scheme not only provides intensive technical training but supplements it with support in securing a role – providing the softer skills developers need to sell themselves to a potential employer.

To find out more about the scheme, go to www.netmatters.co.uk/scs-web-developer-course

For more information about the Innovative Projects Fund, visit https://newanglia.co.uk/innovative-projects-fund/