Blackburn-born entrepreneur brings Skills City to the town

Led by Blackburn-born entrepreneur Mo Isap, Skills City, the largest digital Skills Bootcamp operation in the UK is now recruiting for its Data Analytics Bootcamp in Blackburn with a commitment to provide over 60 jobs in data and tech.

In partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Skills City is hosting a recruitment event at the Making Rooms on Saturday 5 March, 9am-1pm, to showcase the opportunities available with its new Microsoft Azure certified data analytics bootcamp.

Mo, the CEO of IN4 Group, established unique powerhouse Skills City to transform talent diversity in the North West by increasing access for people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly women, to career starts in the tech industry.

This follows successful contract wins from the Department of Education, Lancashire LEP and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as Skills City delivered over 500 technology career starts in 2021.

According to WorldSkills UK, many are concerned that the lack of digital skills in their organisation will impact success with 60 per cent of businesses believing that their reliance on advanced digital skills is set to increase over the next five years, while 88 per cent of young people realise that their digital skills will be essential for their careers.

This is the eighth bootcamp operated by Skills City and it helps people with no prior technical knowledge to enter the workforce as skilled cloud engineers with data analyst skills.

The 12-week skills bootcamp offers learners the chance to gain knowledge of cloud technology, data analytics and AI, enabling them to take the AZ900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification at the end of the course.

The fully funded bootcamp is aimed at those who are unemployed, underemployed or have been displaced by Covid 19, with every learner receiving a guaranteed job interview upon completion.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “I’m proud to be working with Blackburn with Darwen Council both as an organisation that is supportive of our mission to ensure everyone has fair access to technology careers in the borough, and as an employer offering exciting digital career opportunities to local talent. Digital skills are in such high demand from employers, which is why we have created this unique employer-led approach with our Skills Bootcamps, we can match highly skilled training with the necessary skills required in the workplace.”

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Digital and Customer Service, said: “This is just the sort of programme we want to see in the borough. It’s giving an opportunity to people who want to get into a career in tech and we know there are skills gaps and good jobs are waiting to be filled. We hope that the Council itself will be able to welcome some new talent following the bootcamp.”

“Mo Isap is one of Blackburn’s great success stories and has always found ways to give something back. We are delighted that he’s chosen to focus this next programme in his home town.”

The recruitment event is being held on Saturday 5 March, 9am-1pm at The Making Rooms, 1 Exchange Street, Ewood, Blackburn BB1 7JN.