"Digital Her's mission is to support women in our sector to thrive. Getting in AND getting on.
Manchester’s tech scene loves to shout about growth. Less said is what happens in the middle. Progression stalls, women exit, and teams lose hard-won capability. The pipeline isn’t the problem; the cliff at mid-level is. This isn’t a talent shortage. It’s a progression problem. Fix the middle and you fix retention, delivery and diversity in one move. The Code First Girls Mid-Level Accelerator is built to do exactly that, offering a visible, credible route to mid-level that fits around real lives and real jobs."
- Emma Grant, Head of Programmes, Manchester Digital
Manchester has become one of the UK’s most dynamic digital hubs. From fintech and ecommerce to AI and cyber security, companies across the city are driving innovation and creating new opportunities.
Yet despite this growth, many professionals find themselves stuck. Progression into mid-level roles isn’t always clear, and the stats show the cost:
- 60% of women leave a tech role due to an unclear progression pathway
- 50% leave tech before 35 and don’t return
- Just 5% reach leadership positions
If Manchester’s digital economy is to continue thriving, these barriers need to be broken. That’s where the Code First Girls Mid-Level Accelerator comes in.
A programme designed to keep women in tech
The Mid-Level Accelerator is a free, 16-week programme designed specifically to support women with 1.5+ years of tech experience progress to mid-level roles in tech.
Delivered part-time, with live labs and flexible learning, the course allows women to upskill without stepping out of their roles or putting other commitments on hold. For many, that flexibility is the difference between progressing or leaving the industry altogether.
For companies across Manchester, it means employees can stay embedded in their teams while building the skills needed to step into more senior roles.
Building the right skill set for the city’s tech economy
Manchester’s employers need professionals who can think beyond code, people who can lead projects, communicate with stakeholders, and innovate for the future.
The Mid-Level Accelerator develops a T-shaped skill set across key areas of tech:
- Technical skills development in Python (Software or Data Engineering), Java, JavaScript in a modern software development lifecycle
- Technical growth across DevSecOps, architecture, microservices, automations and agile delivery
- Building up technical professional skills through lightning talks, spring planning and demos, presentations, product discovery, stakeholder management and collaboration
- Technical innovation empowering a ‘future-tech’ way of thinking and designing inclusive products and tech solutions.
These skills help women not just stay in tech, but move into roles where they can influence decisions and drive change.
Career opportunities tied to learning
Unlike many training programmes, the Mid-Level Accelerator is linked directly to live roles with partner companies. Candidates choose a sponsoring partner at the application stage and interview for a specific position.
Graduates can also access consulting opportunities with employers once the course is complete. For Manchester employers, this ensures a pipeline of talent that is not only trained but job-ready.
Why Manchester businesses should get involved
By sponsoring Mid-Level Accelerator places, Manchester’s tech companies can:
- Invest in workforce resilience by upskilling existing staff
- Improve retention by offering clear career progression
- Support diversity in a sector where women remain underrepresented
- Gain access to vetted, mid-level-ready candidates
Supporting women to progress isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative for Manchester’s digital economy.
Why Manchester women in tech should get involved
By applying, women in tech can:
- Gain specialist technical skills that employers across Manchester are demanding
- Build professional confidence to speak up, lead projects and influence decisions
- Access mentorship, coaching and networking that open doors to new opportunities
- Secure a direct route into mid-level roles with sponsoring partners
Graduates consistently describe the programme as transformative:
“The Mid-Level Accelerator equipped me to pursue more senior tech roles. The mentorship, career support, and networking opportunities opened doors to new prospects.”
- Lakshmi, MLA Graduate
“I use the technical knowledge I gained every day. Just as important, I now feel able to contribute to roadmaps and shape the direction of projects.”
– Urszula, MLA Graduate
“It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me confidence to apply theory to real-world challenges. My problem-solving and teamwork skills improved hugely.”
– Ramona, MLA Graduate
For women in Manchester’s tech sector, the message is clear: this is your pathway to stay, progress and lead in an industry that needs your talent.
👉 Learn more about the Mid-Level Accelerator and apply at Code First Girls.
