Build foundational knowledge in data, AI, digital connectivity, network engineering and sustainability. Develop projects, gain work experience, and earn a certificate through our courses taught by industry professionals.

We offer a range of Courses from 1-day immersions, to 8-week Courses with work experience and Mentoring.

Digital Academy Spring Courses

Connect Like a Pro

29th February - 18th April 2024

Course Objectives

In this course, you will learn how to connect like a pro, while learning the fundamentals of network engineering, operations, and new possibilities in the digital world. This course is foundational for anyone that wishes to learn about connecting data, devices and people across different networks and considerations in digital service design. You learn about what’s really behind the Internet, how to connect to the Internet, network security, cloud, edge computing, business application of enterprise networking, and how to build a network strategy for your chosen business.

What Will You Do?

You will choose an existing business (or develop an idea for a new digital service) and build a network strategy to support your business. You will complete weekly Digital Challenges, and at the end of the course you will either build your own network or complete another project challenge as part of your work experience with Vodafone. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.
Learn how to connect to the new digital world with experts from Vodafone. Earn a certificate to promote your skills on your CV and LinkedIn.

Session 1 – what is the Internet? Do you know how data gets from your device to an app in America? Do you know where it’s been on its journey? Join to find out what makes the Internet tick. Create league tables for top Internet exchanges and learn who is connected and where.

Session 2 –how do I connect to the Internet? What’s the difference between Wi-Fi and broadband, what does bandwidth actually mean, and how do you get to all the Internet sites and apps you know and love. Identify best and worst connected regions.

Session 3 – what is network security? Ever wondered what a computer virus actually is? Or how a hacker gets access to somewhere they shouldn’t? We’ll tell you all about it. Identify types of security threats.

Session 4 – what is the cloud? Have you ever looked up when you’ve heard someone talk about the cloud? If so, let us talk to you about what it is and why it matters to you. You will work with the cloud to learn about applications infrastructure and digital services including IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, game services, Edge Computing, and more.

Session 5 – what is enterprise networking? Now we know what happens to our packet, we’ll show you why this matters for each and every business out there. You will build your own Quality of Service policy.

Session 6 – how to be a network pro. You will learn how to design a network architecture and with applications that use the cloud. Learn about different roles and how they work to support an organisation.
Recommended Age: 14 -19 yrs

This course is suitable for students with no experience in technology, data, or sustainability solutions. Students should be comfortable with basic concepts of computing and math and be able to use a PC with an Internet connection and video camera.

Course Participation & Certificates

This 4-week self-paced course will give you access to the live sessions and all recordings. Participants who complete the course and the assigned challenges will receive a certificate for the course.
This course will help students that wish to expand their technology skills overall and helps to provide foundational knowledge of digital connectivity networks. The course will help to accelerate onboarding for those pursuing an Apprenticeship or Degree Apprenticeship at Vodafone and provide insight to roles such as: Digital Solution Designer, Network Engineer, Network Manager, Application Infrastructure Manager, Strategy Manager, Security Manager.

  • Andy Linham, Sr. Strategy Manager, Products & Services, Vodafone
  • Larry Dutton, Sr. Strategy Manager, Fixed Connectivity, Vodafone

This course takes place over 6 sessions on the following dates:

  • Thursday, Feb 29th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Mar 7th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Mar 14th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Mar 21st @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Mar 28th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Apr 18th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT
  • Thursday, Apr 25th @ 4:00-5:00pm GMT

Digital Academy: £150. This includes 6 online sessions to learn the fundamentals of data science and gain hands-on experience. All sessions are recorded, so you can catch up if any sessions are missed.

You will need a PC or Mac and a smart phone ideally with video camera plus charging cables.

Under 18’s require a consent form by a parent / guardian.

Research Study

We are conducting a research study with the Digital Camp, Digital Incubator, and Digital Academy with Dr. Jonathan Beale (Oxford, Harvard), Dr. Iro Konstantinou (Eton College), and Dr. Michael Mannino (Flow Research Collective) to test how digital education and purpose-driven programmes can impact academic resilience, performance, and flow in young people as well as growth and development in mentors. Participants will be invited to complete surveys and offer feedback or may opt out of the study.

Our Mission

We aim to inspire a love of learning with young people about technology and support their journeys to first work experiences. We believe it is critical to create an engaging and inclusive environment for girls, which are under-represented in both STEM and in leadership roles.

We’re on a mission to build a sustainable education programme offering skills development and work opportunities for boys and girls of any age through a co-funded model with socially responsible businesses, educational organisations, and government.

This programme is a pilot supported by Vodafone, Microsoft, Elastacloud and volunteers from the tech and business community. Proceeds from the Digital Academy are helping to raise funds to enable us to build a sustainable programme to support students to launch their own businesses. We greatly value your support and feedback. 

Learn more about our Programmes

Discover, connect, play with cutting edge tech with support from Mentors through introductory, hands-on workshops. Work in teams on projects to help the planet at Digital Camp.

Build foundational knowledge in data, AI, digital connectivity, sustainability, and games development. Develop projects, gain work experience, and earn a certificate through our courses. 

Develop entrepreneurial skills and bring your project ideas to life with support from tech and business mentors. Build a proof of concept and learn to pitch projects that people will invest in.

triangle graphic
triangle graphic
triangle graphic

Everyone loves it

Join our mailing list

Mailing list