Looking to develop a new career? Try coding, the fastest-growing profession

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LOOKING to develop a new career? Try coding, the fastest-growing profession.

An explosion of new internet businesses, along with traditional companies moving online, has generated huge demand for highly skilled developers.

The number of computer program writers has increased by 74,000 in the past three years, despite the pandemic — and now more than 600,000 coders work in the private sector.

While a third are employed by major firms, the remainder work for small businesses or as freelancers.

Government figures also reveal the number of computer programming-related businesses and consultancies has increased by 54 per cent in the past ten years, from 40,805 to 62,890.

And they generate a turnover of more than £120billion. But firms are struggling to recruit enough staff.

Aude Barral, co-founder of developer recruitment platform CodinGame, explains: “Tech recruiters are facing a digital skills crisis. The tech start-up sector is booming and traditional businesses are going through a digital transformation, which has been turbo-charged by the impact of the pandemic and the country switching to remote working.”

While traditionally many coders studied computer science at university, now almost half come from a non-tech background or are career switchers.

With an average salary of £47,500, it is a lucrative job and new trainees can be ready to apply for work in as little as 15 weeks. Age and lack of experience are not barriers to retraining and a third of coders are self-taught using online platforms.

Aude adds: “Coronavirus has been the catalyst for a working-from-home revolution, and careers that allow people to choose where they work are going to benefit from this cultural shift we’re seeing.

“The pandemic is going to force many people out of their jobs, and give others a yearning to do something different.

“It’s never too late to retrain.”

Code calling

LINDSEY Wells spent 15 years as a BBC camera operator before deciding to retrain as a coder. She now works for a top fitness tech firm.

The 36-year-old mum from London said: “While I was on maternity leave I discovered a real love of learning and came across a scheme designed to attract more women into software development.

“I signed up to study on a number of coding bootcamps and landed a job as an associate software developer at Sky before moving on to my new role.

“Changing careers to be a coder is totally doable. You don’t need a maths or computer-science background.”

‘Hybrid’ working on way

FREEDOM Day on June 21 has been ditched and now many firms are planning to adopt more flexible working roles.

But what would “hybrid working” mean for you?

Sarah Coles says 85 per cent of employees would prefer a hybrid approach with time at home and in the workplace

Sarah Coles, a personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says: “Not everyone is clamouring for a return to the rat race.

“And 85 per cent would prefer some kind of hybrid approach with time at home and in the workplace.”

These are Sarah’s key points on hybrid working . . .

It can can help retain staff and improve wellbeing.
Decide clearly what “hybrid working” means to your company.
Trust is required, managers might not be able to supervise in the same way.
Think about younger staff, who may want more time in the office.
Be mindful of career progression. Ensure a hybrid working pattern won’t impact career chances.
Can you build the team remotely? Many have struggled to get to grips with remote management.
We all have a stake in making hybrid working effective. We need to do all we can to make it work.

Best work for dads

ARE you a dad who will be slogging into work and putting in a hefty shift this Sunday, even though it is Father’s Day?

Employers are not always the best at recognising the pressures faced by fathers who must juggle work and family. Or mums, for that matter. But the pandemic has forced many firms to rethink how they attract and retain top dad talent.

Research from careers app Debut reveals telecoms is the best sector for working fathers, providing good work-life balance and other family-friendly benefits.

The grocery industry comes second, followed by the publishing sector.

Avantika Vaishnav, at Debut, says: “The important thing is to consider what sort of working set-up would allow you to succeed in and enjoy your role, while not restricting your personal life.”

See more at bitly.ws/ehR7.

International Women In Engineering Day

NEXT Wednesday is International Women In Engineering Day, organised to celebrate female achievements in what is still a male-dominated field.

Waste management firm Veolia is one of the companies pushing for change. Lara Edwards is an industrial water technical manager for the firm.

She said: “Currently only 12 per cent of engineers are women. This needs to increase. Companies like Veolia offer a real opportunity for a career that challenges you – plus you are finding solutions to real-life problems.”

The firm has 37 roles open for engineers.

For details, see veolia.co.uk.

And you can find out more about International Women In Engineering Day at inwed.org.uk.