The Future is bright: Why should young people learn to code?

When we talk about coding and digital making, the question ‘why should young people learn to code?’ will often come up in the conversation. It’s a great question with lots of interesting answers. Let’s dig deeper!

There’s no doubt that there is a buzz about the future of technology and where this fast-paced digital era will take us. The demand for computer science and coding expertise is already at unprecedented levels. While much remains unknown about this shifting landscape, we know this for sure: coding skills will empower young people to meet the challenges of their future.

With Code Clubs in over 100 countries, one of the things that binds us together as a community is that we all see the benefit in young people learning to code. So we’ve asked four colleagues from our global team to reflect on this topic. This is what they said…

Giving young people agency

Equipping young people with the tools, knowledge, and skills to code enables them to develop a sense of purpose within their community and address real-world problems that are important to them. We love to see how young people begin harnessing these skills through the use of problem solving, resilience, and collaboration during Code Clubs that we visit.

On this, Sofia Mohammed, Executive Director, USA, said:

“Learning to create and solve problems with digital technologies is important for young people, especially those from historically disadvantaged communities, because digital skills can lead to high-paying jobs in technology and other areas. This can help break the cycle of poverty and marginalisation in their communities. Knowing how to use technology can also help young people stand up against social injustices, support their communities, and fight for their rights.”

Our Country Director in India, Anuj Alphonson, contributed his thoughts:

“Young people should learn to create with digital technologies to drive innovation and adapt to an ever-evolving world. By learning to create and solve problems with these tools, they gain essential skills for the future such as critical thinking and resilience in a tech-driven society, which prepares them for diverse career opportunities and challenges.”

Future opportunities

Learning to code opens doors to a world of exciting career possibilities for young people. It’s not just about becoming a software developer; coding skills are increasingly valuable in fields like design, marketing, science, and even the arts.

Attending Code Club teaches young people problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity — vital skills for any career path. Whether a Code Club member dreams of creating the next big app, designing stunning websites, or analysing data to solve global challenges, coding gives them the tools to turn their passions into fulfilling and successful careers.

We have a couple of new faces around here, so we’d like to introduce our new Community Coordinator in the Code Club team, Yuki Hazlewood. She said:

“It’s so exciting to see what young people can dream up and create through digital making. And there’s no doubt that learning to code opens a world of opportunities for young people’s career paths. Computing careers are seeing double the growth rate of other industries, so it’s truly a new frontier that we should be preparing them for.”

We asked Rachel Arthur, our new Chief Learning Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to wrap things up. She shared that:

“Everyone should have the chance to shape the world around them. Learning these skills gives young people the tools to create and solve problems using technology. Digital technology is also everywhere, and it’s changing fast. Learning these skills helps young people keep up and take an active part in this exciting world.”

Thank you to Sofia, Anuj, Rachel, and Yuki!

Are you ready to spark a passion for coding in your community? Start a Code Club today!