National Software Academy wins Wales Technology Award

The National Software Academy has fought off fierce competition to win the coveted ‘Trailblazer of the Year’ award in this year’s ESTnet Wales Technology Awards. The awards ceremony, which took place on Thursday 22June, received a record number of entries and the Academy was one of just three finalists to be whittled down by the ESTnet judging panel.

Judges praised the Academy for its long-term commitment to change the way that software engineering is taught, and its work to support Welsh Government aims to regenerate the economy of Newport. The judges were also impressed by The Academy’s school outreach programme which works to raise awareness of opportunities in the software sector, placing a focus on encouraging females and other under-represented groups in the industry, to peruse careers in software.

Matthew Turner, the National Software Academy Manager said “The Academy was delighted and immensely proud to receive the Industry Trailblazer award from ESTnet at the Wales Technology Awards. It recognises the hard work undertaken by the Academy team to change the way that Software Engineering is taught by Cardiff University. Industry engagement is key to everything that we do here and this award shows the relevance of our work to the technology industry in South Wales.”