Written By Amy O’Donnell, Social Impact Lead, Nominet

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt the energy? Like something special was happening between everyone there. That’s how I felt joining a celebration event in Durham for learners who have grown in confidence and entered new careers or further learning through the Click Start TechUPWomen programme. Meeting the learners offered a glimpse into a powerful movement of what can happen when technical skills training is accompanied with tailored and meaningful support. 

Click Start is a nationwide training programme, funded by Nominet, and delivered by the Institute of Coding. It’s creating new pathways for people from all walks of life to explore careers in tech. These include software development, data analysis, and more.

TechUPWomen is a Click Start programme based at Durham University offering training designed to help women from diverse backgrounds – especially those underrepresented in the tech sector – and supports their transition into technology roles. In partnership with Catch22, who offer mentoring and job coaching support, the programme is tailored to meet learners where they are, building both technical expertise and holistic skills. It also provides mentorship and access to a thriving community of peers and industry contacts.

These kinds of initiatives are not only closing the digital skills gap – they’re driving change by equipping women with the tools, networks, and knowledge they need to shape a more inclusive future for the UK tech industry.

What stood out for me about the programme when I attended the event was the flexibility provided to meet learners’ unique needs. TechUPWomen was run online so the learners could balance their studies with their jobs and caring responsibilities. It also offered catch-up options if they couldn’t make sessions in real-time. As a mother myself (my son is the same age as some of the babies who joined the event), I was inspired by women holding their children to receive their certificates and taking this next step in what they described as a life-changing opportunity.

“I’m so proud of our incredible team of Catch22 career coaches, who support learners holistically and flexibly – helping them enter opportunities with confidence,” said Kimberly Owen from Catch22. “Whether it’s responding to a WhatsApp just before an interview, offering advice on what to wear, or helping navigate childcare logistics, these moments of human connection can be just as important as technical qualifications. It’s this combination of practical support, emotional encouragement, and career guidance that brings the magic to Click Start.”

Click Start’s wraparound support is what makes it so unique. It’s not just about training; it’s about community. Adah Parris, chair of Mental Health First Aid England, opened the celebration event by encouraging everyone in the room to reflect on their superpowers and show up as their whole selves, based on their values. The sentiments of support echoed throughout the day, emphasising the power of peer support among the women.

“These events really solidify the community built during a TechUPWomen programme,” agreed Johanna Waite, Programme Manager for TechUPWomen. “They’re a chance for our learners to celebrate their achievements and build their confidence before moving onto the next steps in their journey into work and the tech industry. They really are the highlight of every programme for me, seeing the impact we have in action.”

A highlight for me was hearing from Nosheena Jabeen, who was a learner in the Click Start programme at Abertay University, as well as TechUPWomen. She said: “My background in the military sparked my passion for cyber defence and threat analysis. I view Click Start as a springboard which helped me to take my next steps into my career as a penetration tester in cyber security.” 

When it was my turn to say a few words, I shared my strong conviction about why this work matters. It’s because those who design tech impact those who use it. Every step these Click Start x TechUPWomen take into the tech industry is also a step towards making technology more inclusive and accessible.

At Nominet, we believe in the power of digital skills to unlock opportunities. And we’re proud to support initiatives like TechUPWomen and Click Start, which are opening doors for women from underserved communities to step confidently into tech careers.