Join us, as Owen Stanley hosts this event as we're joined by a number of key industry figures from across Lancashire’s digital & tech community, as well as past and present students from the DEEper programme.

The event will focus on barriers to entry into the digital Industry from the perspective of both employers as well as DEEPer programme applicants. We’ll be explaining what the DEEPer programme is, and discussing Imposter Syndrome as a common feeling amongst junior developers, before we hear first hand experiences and stories about diversity in tech - the positive and negative.

This event is designed to offer a platform to ‘smash the stereotypes’ associated with the sector, address the digital skills gap facing the region, offer information to employers looking to upskill their current workforce, as well as for people looking for a new career in PHP or wanting to give their existing digital skills a boost. We'll also be discussing the challenges faced by others in the industry so we can better shape the future of Digital in Lancashire.

This event will consist of 3 sessions and will offer a deep dive into employment in the digital & tech sector focusing on:

Session 1: Breaking Down Barriers - A review of the recruitment process at present from both employers and those hoping to gain employment.

Session 2: Interrupting Imposter Syndrome - Presentations on Imposter Syndrome from developers as a common feeling amongst junior developers.

Session 3: Smashing Stereotypes - Discussion on Diversity in the digital sector and the importance of combating this.

Agenda:

• 6.30pm - Welcome and Introductions (5mins)

Hosted by Owen Stanley

• 6.35pm - Breaking Down Barriers (20 mins)

Q&A session with Jeremy Coates(DEEPer employer) and past and present DEEPer Students.

• 6.55pm - Interrupting Imposter Syndrome (30mins)

Presentations from Carmen Charnley (AO.com) , Chris Brown (Lead Developer at RLDatix) and Nicky Danino (Principal Lecturer in Computer Science, UCLan).

• 7.25pm Smashing Stereotypes (20 mins)

Panel featuring Joey Xoto (Viddyoze) and Catherine Mugonyi.

• 7.45pm Q&A and Closing Comments (15 mins)
• 8pm Event Close

Who is this event for?

This event is ideal for anybody interested in beginning a new career in PHP or any employers that would like to upskill their current workforce.

Speakers Biographies:

• Chris Brown – Lead Developer at RLDatix

https://www.linkedin.com/in/icklechris/

Zend Certified PHP Developer

Young Businessperson of the Year Finalist 2020 (North West Business Awards)

Uclan Web Design & Development Student of the Year

Young Enterprise UK finalist 2014

Bio:

Chris is the Lead Developer at Global patient safety technology company, RLDatix. Entering the industry as an intern straight from receiving a First Class Honours in Web & Multimedia at Uclan, Chris has over 6 years’ experience in software development roles, quickly progressing into senior roles and leading teams of up to 10 engineers on a variety of large-scale projects. His experience of mentoring teams has seen him act as a professional bridge between development and management teams; understanding the effects of Imposter Syndrome first hand and working with his teams to establish development plans and implement career coaching to overcome it.

• Nicky Danino – Principal Lecturer in Computer Science, UCLan

www.NickyDanino.com

www.Twitter.com/NickyDanino

www.linkedin.com/in/nickydanino/

Bio:

I'm a Principal Lecturer at UCLan (University of Central Lancashire) in Preston. I'm the Academic Lead for Computer Science in the School of Psychology and Computing.

This includes managing our existing Computer Science portfolio, as well as exploring and initiating new business development. I also have to ensure that we adhere to the QAA subject benchmarks for Computer Science and maintain our status quo of professional body accreditation (British Computer Society).

I love my work as a STEM Ambassador and I am currently a designated UCLan Engagement Catalyst award holder. I work towards trying to engage more young people with Computer Science, and more specifically, girls. I would like to see an increase in the number of girls studying computing, and I work towards trying to address the gender stereotypes around professions in the discipline. I’ve recently co-written a book to show readers how the science of the world we all inhabit can be just as wondrous, exciting and jaw-droppingly brilliant as the explosive exploits we relish seeing on our cinema screens and reading about in our comic books.

www.unmaskedscience.com

My current research interests are based around pedagogy and the use of social media. I carry out research into online human behaviour and I am particularly concerned with the availability of personal data. I conduct data mining research experiments on social media networks to analyse user attitudes and to discover what impact these networks have on individuals and user groups. I’m also interested in gaming and perceptions of gaming in society.

• Joey Xoto, Co-founder, Viddyoze

Bio:

Joey Xoto is co-founder of Preston based SaaS, Viddyoze, a web based 3D animation company. Viddyoze is currently one of the fastest growing tech businesses in the UK, with over 150,000 customers including the likes of Coca Cola, Tesla, Vodafone and Pepsico! Joey's responsible for all things marketing, front end customer acquisition and brand.

• Catherine Mugonyi, Aunty Social

Bio:

A long-time resident of Blackpool, Catherine Mugonyi is a director and founder of Aunty Social a voluntary arts organisation that provides accessible, affordable and participatory arts activities on the Fylde coast. She leads on Aunty’s Pop-up Picturehouse which provides screenings of independent and specialised film for community organisations and neighbourhood audiences in Blackpool. At the moment screenings are on hold (we're in Tier 3) and Aunty is busy supporting Blackpool Foodbank, providing 'at home' arty crafty packs and books for children aged 0-4 years and keeping people up to date with hyperlocal arts reporting through volunteer-run online magazine Blackpool Social Club.

Catherine is also a founding director and programmer of the Winter Gardens Film Festival which focuses on the best of classic and contemporary black and white film in the spectacular historic setting of Blackpool Winter Gardens. The festival hosts contemporary film artists and musicians as well as co-producing events with local students, volunteers and community groups.

Catherine is currently Creative Programmer at The Harris (a Museum, Library and Art Gallery in Preston) and a trustee of Voluntary Arts. Previously she spent 10 years at Blackpool Council working as Equality and Community Engagement Officer which involved working with diverse communities to improve policy, service access and employment opportunity issues.

ABOUT DEEPer

The Digital Engineer Education Programme (DEEPer) receives funding from the £3m Fast Track Fund to train and upskill new digital talent in Lancashire.

DEEPer is one of 14 projects to receive funding as part of the Fast Track Digital Workforce Fund supporting businesses to address skills gaps & residents to enter well paid creative, digital & tech roles

The Fast Track Fund is a £3m joint venture between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership

DEEPer is a training programme created by industry specialists to help train people for the digital and software engineering industry. It teaches coding in PHP and the skills needed to integrate and work within the fast-developing growing digital sector. It is designed to boost digital skills to help returners into work after career break, those looking to change career and enter this developing sector and those wanting to upskill and take on more challenging roles. Additionally, adding readiness for work and employability skills

ABOUT THE DIGITAL FAST TRACK FUND

The Fast Track Digital Workforce Fund, was developed to address locally identified digital skills gaps, is a joint venture between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership (LDSP).

To find out more about this fund click here