Make UK ‘geek heaven’ says minister as Campus Party opens
3 September 2013
Campus Party Europe opened last night as 8,000 techies descended on London’s O2 Arena.
Tue, 3 Sep 2013Campus Party Europe opened last night as 8,000 techies descended on London’s O2 Arena.
Labelled by London Mayor Boris Johnson as ‘Glastonbury for Geeks’, the week-long 24-hours a day festival has a serious purpose.
In a report due to be published today, mobile phone giant O2 says that up to 750,000 jobs could be created in the next five years to fuel Britain’s "burgeoning" digital economy.
It says that the continued growth of the digital sector offers "fantastic opportunities for tech-savvy young people", but warns that not enough is being done to harness their skills.
Ronan Dunne, chief executive officer of the O2’s parent firm Telefonica, told Sky News yesterday [2 September]: “If we don't generate those jobs using British youngsters with the right skills, businesses will have to look overseas.”
The festival will include competitions, workshops, as well as a digital skills marketplace, where attendees called ‘campuseros’ can learn about how to enter the sector. Employers, such as Microsoft and O2, are also in attendance taking the opportunity to find talent. There are some 500 apprenticeships on offer.
Speaking in a panel discussion at last night’s opening ceremony, Ed Vaizey, minister for culture, communication and creative industries, said the government recognised the potential of the digital economy for growth and jobs.
He said that the government was already making changes to the school curriculum to include more code writing. “We want the UK to be geek heaven,” he said.
Neelie Kroes, vice president of the European Commission, responsible for the digital agenda, said she wants to encourage more girls to enter the IT and digital sector. “Too many girls think it is not sexy, but it is,” she said.
Labelled by London Mayor Boris Johnson as ‘Glastonbury for Geeks’, the week-long 24-hours a day festival has a serious purpose.
In a report due to be published today, mobile phone giant O2 says that up to 750,000 jobs could be created in the next five years to fuel Britain’s "burgeoning" digital economy.
It says that the continued growth of the digital sector offers "fantastic opportunities for tech-savvy young people", but warns that not enough is being done to harness their skills.
Ronan Dunne, chief executive officer of the O2’s parent firm Telefonica, told Sky News yesterday [2 September]: “If we don't generate those jobs using British youngsters with the right skills, businesses will have to look overseas.”
The festival will include competitions, workshops, as well as a digital skills marketplace, where attendees called ‘campuseros’ can learn about how to enter the sector. Employers, such as Microsoft and O2, are also in attendance taking the opportunity to find talent. There are some 500 apprenticeships on offer.
Speaking in a panel discussion at last night’s opening ceremony, Ed Vaizey, minister for culture, communication and creative industries, said the government recognised the potential of the digital economy for growth and jobs.
He said that the government was already making changes to the school curriculum to include more code writing. “We want the UK to be geek heaven,” he said.
Neelie Kroes, vice president of the European Commission, responsible for the digital agenda, said she wants to encourage more girls to enter the IT and digital sector. “Too many girls think it is not sexy, but it is,” she said.
