Netmatters is one of two Norfolk companies to win a King’s Award for Enterprise this year – an accolade shared by only 197 companies nationally.
The firm was honoured for its work in Promoting Opportunity through the Scion Scheme.
The initiative was formally launched in 2017 to address a shortfall of technical roles within the business.
The objective was to train new developers internally as a cost-effective solution, by targeting individuals with a passion for technology who may not have been able to enter the industry easily.
Prior to this, there was a significant skills gap in the East of England for such positions, with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce noting that by 2030, 20% or less of the population will be grossly underqualified for their positions.
Netmatters partnered with local job centres to identify individuals and provide an accessible pathway into the industry. The scheme is dedicated to enhancing social mobility by supporting individuals who are unemployed, long-term unemployed, or from low-income backgrounds. It is also fully remote, providing an even more flexible career pathway.
Scion is a product of this scheme, providing hands-on software development training alongside theoretical and soft skills development under the guidance of course manager and senior developer, Kayleigh Hall.
On completing the course, the team uses its industry connections to help graduates secure roles.
SCS graduate Liam said: “The Netmatters Scion Coalition Scheme took me from Zero to Hero. Joining the scheme with practically no web development experience, I was guided through a curated course and given detailed feedback on my work.
“The constant support from the team allowed me to grow to my full potential and challenged my thinking to see me improve with each day that passed. This wasn’t just a skills bootcamp, this was a working environment simulation to prepare me for employment.”
A Netmatters spokesman said: “Along with the honour of the King’s Award, our vision is to bridge the skills gap in the East of England and beyond by forming partnerships across the UK. With the support of local Jobcentres, the DWP and Local Councils, we aim to make a significant impact, reviewing each decision we make against our T.R.U.E values.
Managing director James Gulliver added: “We are incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the transformative power of the Scion Scheme.
“At Netmatters, we believe talent can come from anywhere, and this award reflects our ongoing commitment to creating meaningful career pathways for individuals who might otherwise be overlooked.
“It’s an honour to champion social mobility, and we’re excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.”
Contact Netmatters about the Scion Scheme here.
