Microsoft CityNext: Rising to the code challenge

Cities are our economic hubs. They've long attracted ambitious workers looking for better jobs. So it’s no surprise that today 80% of the world’s economic activity comes from urban areas. But the jobs that will drive our economy tomorrow will be very different from the ones that fuelled the growth of cities in generations past. For cities to continue to be accelerators of economic growth, they need to equip young people with in-demand skills. And few skills areas hold more opportunities than computer science.

Starting this month, children as young as 5 will begin receiving computer science instruction as a statutory part of the English national curriculum. These lessons will not only equip children with much-needed computer skills. The curriculum will also help children develop the kinds of creative problem solving and critical thinking skills that are assets in all lines of work.

But introducing a major new subject to the curriculum is no easy task. That’s why Microsoft is getting involved. We’re donating teaching materials and software, as well as holding events across the UK to help teachers and students alike learn to love learning to code. Read on to find out how the code revolution will transform the UK economy – and how Microsoft is working to help ensure everyone has the skills they need to succeed.

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Learn more about the Microsoft CityNext initiative and how technology and education are making a difference across the UK.