National Coding Week is an annual event dedicated to helping adults improve their digital literacy and coding skills. It aims to bridge the growing technology skills gap by making coding accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience level.
Quick Facts
- When is it: Third week of September annually
- Tagged as: Digital literacy awareness event
- What’s the hashtag: #NationalCodingWeek
- When was it founded: 2014
- Who founded it: Richard Rolfe and Jordan Love
History
The initiative began in the UK when former headteacher Richard Rolfe and tech entrepreneur Jordan Love trained a group of unemployed individuals in coding skills, leading many to secure employment. Their success inspired them to create a nationwide movement to help adults develop essential digital skills for the modern workforce.
Timeline
- 1954: IBM creates FORTRAN, the first high-level programming language
- 2011: Codecademy launches free coding education platform
- 2014: First National Coding Week takes place
- 2015: The event expands beyond UK borders
- 2021: Program extends to two-week duration
Dates for Coming Years
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September | 16 | Monday |
| 2025 | September | 14 | Sunday |
| 2026 | September | 14 | Monday |
| 2027 | September | 14 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | September | 14 | Thursday |
| 2029 | September | 14 | Friday |
How It’s Observed
Communities organize coding workshops, libraries host digital literacy sessions, and schools open their doors for special coding events. Children often teach adults the digital skills they’ve learned, creating an unique intergenerational learning experience.
Fun Facts About Coding Week
- 92% of executives believe workers need better digital skills
- 50% of digital product developers are self-taught
- 83% of app developers learned coding on their own
- The event has received support from notable figures including Prince Andrew and various tech leaders
Quiz
- Who founded National Coding Week?
- In which country did National Coding Week originate?
- What year was the first National Coding Week held?
(Answers: 1. Richard Rolfe and Jordan Love, 2. United Kingdom, 3. 2014)
FAQs
- Can coding be learned in a week? Yes, basic concepts can be grasped with dedication
- How many hours should one practice coding? Industry standard suggests 40 hours per week
- What is the Coding Hour? A global initiative introducing computer science through one-hour sessions
Related Events
- Computer Science Education Week
- EU Code Week
- Hour of Code
- Digital Learning Day
- World Programming Day