Tony Foggett, who last year used How-Do to rail against the universities and colleges that he felt were failing his industry, has created what has now been branded ‘The Institute of Computerlove’ to foster the talent of those students currently enrolled in digital design courses.

Its aims are simple, as are its benefits to both the student fraternity and the agency itself.

The institute will –

Provide two weeks work experience to all students that enrol, along with additional work throughout the academic year.
Assign a mentor to each student from the agency’s design team to provide career coaching and regular reviews.
Pay for entry fees into any industry event and competition that might benefit the student, including the Manchester D&AD president’s lectures.
Allow students access to the agency’s resources, training and social and business events.

Back to school for Code

“In return we get to see the best talent around and encourage students to get into digital marketing for agencies in the North West. The scheme will also give us personal satisfaction if our little prodigies go on to do great things.”

He added: “The digital industry has a real need for experience and talented people to feed its massive growth, and it's even more acute in the North West… we have to invest in our future.

"Manchester's Higher Education bodies have not kept up with planning for the digital industry. The cogs have started to turn to improve schooling for digital talent, and Salford has now got a much-needed digital course. But there's still more to be done.

“Agencies need to take action and help develop the talent in the region before it's too late. As a region we also have to work harder than London, and other marketing industries, to attract, train and retain talent.”

To kick-start the programme Code has taken on five final year students from Salford and is now looking for new recruits for the next academic year’s intake.

Wini Tse, one of Code’s founding directors and the head of design at the agency, is taking charge of the mentoring duties.

www.codecomputerlove.com

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Comments (6)

2  By Gez at Stardotstar , on 09-04-2008 14:45 ... but on the other Code they are a company that can see that Manchester is not generating enough people at a suitable quality and have chosen to do something about it, rather than expecting people to magically appear. Or, as is so common, poaching staff from other agencies to fuel the merry-go-round. So Code are are putting their hand in their pockets in terms of investment.    How many other digital companies in Manchester have an active training programme? Report

3  By Jamie at Idaho , on 10-04-2008 18:14 I know the value first hand of being mentored and offered experience from digital companies in Manchester, while still studying.    Well done Tony, this is a great initiative. Code are investing in students and in return will reap from the best talent our colleges and universities can offer. Report

4  By Simon Wharton , on 10-04-2008 20:06 Go on Jamie, which forward thinking dynamic altruistic agency full of good looking chaps who can drink their own weight in Whisky did give you such brilliant mentoring?    On the subject of Code, this is sound business. What's altruism got to do with it? It's a great move and if we were big enough, we'd do exactly the same. A great initiative Report

5  By Lucas Partington , on 11-04-2008 11:06 From a recruitment perspective, the northwest's market is so short of good, expereinced & sparky digital candidates I think it is a great idea, not to mention a stand against the brain-drain to London! Report