The University of Westminster has partnered with The Rebel School and Netcompany to launch free digital upskilling and business programmes that empower underrepresented women from diverse backgrounds. The groundbreaking partnership between the university, an NGO, and a corporate organisation paves the way for future collaborations that will be made possible by the opening of Zone29, the University’s new centre for enterprise and career success.
The courses will provide a week-long series of upskilling workshops in London and Glasgow to support women from marginalised backgrounds. Sessions will be delivered by The Rebel School with support from University of Westminster academics to provide expertise in an array of useful topics such as building a website, social media for businesses and using modern digital tools like Artificial Intelligence. Participants will also benefit from Q&A sessions with colleagues from international IT consultancy Netcompany to gain professional insight into the digital business world.
Through the partnership of a university, an NGO and a corporate business, the courses will offer participants an invaluable range of knowledge and practical skills to support their businesses and develop the confidence needed to thrive. Specifically designed for women facing inequities, the partnership will help tackle the challenges many women encounter when setting up their own businesses.
This collaboration will kick off the University of Westminster’s new enterprise and careers space, Zone29, which aims to bring together organisations and businesses like The Rebel School and Netcompany to deliver a range of community-focused enterprise and employment initiatives. Facilitating impactful partnerships like these to support enterprise and community development reflects the University’s history of providing access to education for all as the first polytechnic in London, established 180 years ago to educate the city’s working people, and its current Being Westminster 2022-2029 strategic focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Rebel School provides transformative, free-to-access self-development and entrepreneurship education to empower disadvantaged communities. By delivering training and mentorship, Rebel empowers people to turn ideas into income without needing loans or traditional business plans and provides more than just knowledge; Rebel graduates gain confidence, networks and the self-belief to succeed.
The School has helped many of its students to turn their life around. Previous graduates include photographer and entrepreneur Kerry Barton. After developing an interest in photography and attending university later in life, Barton lacked the business skills or community to turn her passion into a career. Her experience on the Rebel course provided the skills and support to set up a successful photography business, Studio23 Photography. About the programme, Barton said: “Best course ever! Changed my life!”
Netcompany is a leading pan-European end-to-end IT consultancy that enables the public and private sectors to accelerate the pace of responsible digitalisation, supporting the development of stronger, sustainable societies for future generations. In the UK, Netcompany's social value initiatives include supporting STEM-related programmes for school-aged kids, digital upskilling for military veterans and tech-related educational volunteer programmes.
About the partnership, Simay Sali Sevik, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, said: “I am delighted to be part of this pioneering collaboration between a university, an NGO and a corporate organisation, working together to create meaningful opportunities for women from disadvantaged backgrounds. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to education, enterprise and community empowerment, and we are grateful to Netcompany for sponsoring this programme. Through Zone29, we aim to extend our support beyond students, reaching the wider community and fostering long-term impact."
Rebel Creative Director Jack Aling said: “Too many women are told they can’t start a business because they don’t have money, the right background, or the ‘right’ education. This partnership with Westminster University and Netcompany is about proving that opportunity isn’t about privilege - it’s about action.”
Richard Davies, UK Managing Partner of Netcompany, said: "Empowering individuals - who wouldn't otherwise have access to these opportunities - with the tools and knowledge to build their futures is not only an investment in them, but also in the strength of our communities and the economy. I am delighted to continue our work with the University of Westminster and begin a collaboration with The Rebel School on this incredibly important initiative."
This partnership contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Apply for a place on the courses in Westminster and Glasgow.
Find out more about Zone29 at the University of Westminster.
To find out how you or your organisation can collaborate with the University, contact Westminster’s Development Team.
