Sunderland Software City

New Guroo employees Andrew Hopper and Simon Sproat with MD Jonathan Wells and Software City CEO Bernie Callaghan

The Sunderland Software City initiative is working to inspire and encourage the growth of the software business in the region and to make the North East the location of choice for the global software industry.

The project is also playing a key role in helping to build the skilled workforce the North East needs to compete globally in the 21st century and making sure our region holds on to its most talented young people.

Proof of the progress being made can be found at local online learning business Guroo, where two local lads have just joined the team after coming the company’s attention on work placements from Sunderland University through the Sunderland Software City initiative.

Andrew Hopper and Simon Sproat, both 22, have just started work on new web-based projects at the Houghton-le-Spring-based company, who produce on-line learning resources focused on functional skills for schools, colleges and training providers

The two are both born and bred in the region, progressing from Hylton Red House school to the City of Sunderland College before graduating from Sunderland University last year with Business Computing degrees specifically designed to meet the needs of the global software industry.

In previous years, Andrew and Simon might have had to leave the North East to pursue their careers or to get the skills they need to make their mark in the industry – but all the region now has the systems in place to develop and maintain a workforce which can really compete globally.

“It’s all about the system working and the system is working for us,” says Guroo MD Jonathan Wells.

“To compete in the global marketplace the North East needs to train and retain the most talented people, and we now have a system in place to do that.

“Basically we are doing exactly what the Software City initiative set out to do – creating good quality jobs for local people in knowledge- based industries. We’re a typical example of the recent explosion of the North East software industry.  In two years we’ve more than trebled our staff numbers and we now have over 400 subscribers, not just locally but nationally”.

Simon said: “I know I might sound a bit biased but as someone just starting a career in software I think the North East really is the place to be.”

Andrew added: “We’ve got a thriving creative industry scene, increasingly recognised globally for our innovation and expertise – and I wanted to be part of that. I’m really grateful for the world class support I’ve had, and to Guroo for giving me this chance.”

Professor John MacIntyre, Sunderland University’s Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences said: “Work placements provide great opportunities for students and employers. Students get invaluable experience which gives them a competitive edge when it comes to entering the jobs market. Around half of the students who carry out work placements get jobs with the companies they worked for. For the company the rewards can be substantial.

“One student, who was on placement at a packaging firm in the region saved the company around £750,000 after developing a new software package.” 

David Dunn, Chief Operating Officer of Sunderland Software City said: “Our work involves giving North East businesses the expertise, resources and connections to grow their businesses, and creating an environment where software businesses can flourish in the region.

“A huge part of that involves helping local young people see the software industry as a career destination and making sure they get the tools they need to build a bright future there here in the North East, and for the North East.
“Software in the region is going from strength to strength. If we are to sustain and build on that we need to the right systems in place to and Andrew and Simon’s story is a clear sign of the rapid progress we’re making in building a high-skilled workforce in the region”.

More information about Guroo is available at www.guroo.info