As digital technology is changing the way we work, live and learn, and companies in all sectors are progressively embracing digital technology, coding is becoming an increasingly important skill for succeeding both in the workplace and society of today. It helps to understand the digital world we live in, enhances creativity, and teaches logical reasoning. Coding and computer science are a key competence, both within the education system and in the workforce, even in industries and professions that traditionally did not require advanced technical skills.

Today, the European Coding Initiative launches its new website, all you need is {C<3DE}, for students, teachers and adults who are looking to try out coding. The European Coding Initiative was founded in July 2014 and launched in October 2014, by European Schoolnet, Facebook, Liberty Global, Microsoft, and SAP who joined forces in recognition of the vital need to empower young people to understand the theory and application of coding. The initiative aims to promote coding and computational thinking at all levels of education, as well as in more informal settings. The European Commission fully supports the Initiative under the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs.

Other initiatives supported by the Commission under the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs are teacher trainings. The next online course European Schoolnet Academy takes place on 20 April 2015: How to Teach Computing for Primary Teachers. It explains why teaching computing to young children is increasingly important and introduces innovative teaching methods, tools and resources. The course is open to all primary teachers and is free of charge.

For more information on our coding initiatives click here: Coding - the 21st century skill.