"PASSIONATE and creative" people in East Lancashire are being invited to take part in fully funded coding bootcamps.

The Skills Bootcamp programme, part of the governments Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs policy, aims to help people across the North West enter the tech industry.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn new coding skills, with the programme specifically aimed at those just at the start of their careers.

Northcoders CEO Chris Hill said: "The launch of the Northcoders Excellence Scholarship is a really exciting opportunity for people right across the North West region.

"It will allow those with little or no coding experience to forge a new career in what is an exciting and incredibly diverse industry.

"The aim of the programme, which is open to everyone regardless of their background, is to create the software developers and tech stars of the future."

Northcoders was first established in 2015, and since then says that it has helped over 800 people switch careers into the technology sector.

Its involvement in the government's programme comes in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis which has taken a huge toll on jobs and opportunities, particularly in East Lancashire.

The Skills Bootcamp programme is open to anyone over the age of 19 who lives in the North West.

They can be in work, self-employed, recently unemployed or returning to work and looking to build up their skills.

Over the course of 13 weeks, participants will learn the skills needed to become a junior software developer.

The programme will be taught in primarily JavaScript, however other scripts will be available.

Northcoders says that students will also be provided with careers advice, CV writing workshops and given access to the company's own internal jobs board, where they will be able to view and directly apply for junior software developer roles.

To find out more, go to: https://northcoders.com/our-courses/northcoders-skills-bootcamps.