Aviva launch a Norwich based initiative dedicated to building the region’s digital workforce

We're excited to launch the Foundry - a Norwich based initiative dedicated to building the region’s digital workforce.

It will offer a range of learning opportunities for our people, local students & businesses, delivered in partnership with tech education startup Decoded.

The Foundry has three aims:

• Help Aviva colleagues in Norwich develop digital skills for the future to support moves into digital roles.
• Support Norfolk T Level students, partnering with City College Norwich, to acquire new skills and offer them work placements and a potential digital career in Aviva.
• Support local businesses, along with Tech East and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, by gifting part of Aviva’s apprenticeship levy.

Along with our people, we invited T Level students from Norwich City College to our launch event at our Norwich office. They heard from our Chief Digital Officer, Charlie Smith and Chief Innovation Officer, Ben Luckett, about how the Foundry will support the workforce of the future. And our Group CEO, Amanda Blanc, and Chief People Officer, Danielle Harmer, spoke about the exciting opportunities the Foundry will bring in 2023.

Danny Harmer, Aviva’s Chief People Officer, said:

“A trained, digital workforce is key to our future success and the launch of the Foundry is an important step forward for Aviva and for Norwich. We want to support local people to grow their careers with us and equip them with the skills they need for the future. Working together – Aviva, Norwich City College and Decoded, can make a lasting and positive difference. This investment in upskilling and reskilling is great for local people, local businesses and the regional economy.”

Richard Peters, Decoded Co-Founder & CEO, said:

"Decoded are proud to be the delivery partners to Aviva on The Foundry for such an ambitious project. Together we will be creating the jobs and skills of the future. Moreover, by extending those learning opportunities to the local community in Norwich and businesses across East Anglia, it is one of the most significant levelling up programmes we have ever seen. One which takes vision, courage and a belief that when people are given the right tools and learning opportunities, anything is possible."

If you’re a local business and think you’d benefit from the Foundry, you can get in touch at [email protected].

Many thanks to Molly Howes, Sarah Allen, David Hepworth, Charlie Smith and Ben Luckett for organising a fantastic launch event.

About Decoded:

Decoded is a world leader in technology education, delivering digital literacy and skills for clients that span the Global 2,000, policymakers and small businesses across every industry and geography.

Decoded's digital and data literacy workshops are sought by organisations seeking to rapidly rewire their digital literacy, culture and skills, in areas including data decision-making, artificial intelligence, data ethics, cyber security and beyond.

Decoded's digital and data academies and bootcamps upskill and re-skill workforces in data analytics, software development, data engineering and product management.