Sony UK TEC’s Learn 2 Code workshops have hosted over 1,200 students so far this year. The manufacturer launched its specialist coding workshops in 2017, following the success of its Digital Competency programme.

The one-day workshops, led by a qualified coding instructor, encourage children to “use their creativity across a variety of digital platforms” in a bid to boost STEM learning.

The number of Welsh schoolchildren taking part in Learn 2 Code workshops at the Sony UK technology centre has “soared” in the last year, according to the latest figures from the firm.

In July, the Pencoed-based manufacturing facility welcomed 4,159 students through its doors. The team in Pencoed have now revealed that so far this year 1,268 pupils have taken part in their coding-specific workshops, with an estimated 1,688 to participate in total by the end of 2019.

This is a significant increase on the programme’s first iteration in 2017, during which 548 pupils took part.

The workshops introduce the pupils to various programming languages including Scratch and Python.

The Sony UK TEC factory, which produces Raspberry Pis, has spoken out about the importance of coding.

Director of professional services Gerald Kelly said incorporating coding into early education was absolutely vital for enhancing the future employment prospects of tomorrow’s workers, but also for the Welsh economy as a whole.

Steven Lewis, who teaches coding with Learn 2 Code said: “I bumped into a parent whose child attended one of the first Raspberry Pi coding days and found out that her daughter is now studying Computer Science GCSE. This is the kind of impact we want to see.”

Sony UK TEC also partners with regional rugby side Ospreys to deliver a Schools Programme for children from the authorities of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot and Bridgend.