YNAP supports the Hour of Code initiative

Yoox Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP) is taking part in the Hour of Code initiative this week by offering coding sessions for students in the UK and Italy.

Established by not-for-profit organisation Code.org to raise awareness of computer science and teach people the basic skills of computer programming, Hour of Code is the world's biggest technology learning event.

YNAP, the parent of luxury etailers Net-A-Porter.com, Mr Porter.com, The Outnet.com and Yoox.com, said it was taking part to encourage the adoption of digital skills by the younger generation.

"The demands of tomorrow’s workplace are rapidly changing and it is critically important that we equip future generations with the skills they need to thrive. Our tech teams in the UK and Italy look forward to being part of the Hour of Code, sharing their passion for combining creativity and technology to code the future," said YNAP chief information officer Alex Alexander.

The Hour of Code takes place between 5 and 11 December during Computer Science Education Week and participants include "tens of millions of kids aged 4 and beyond and adults", with over 100,000 events being held in more than 180 countries.

YNAP’s technology team in London and Bologna will teach coding to children and young people aged 4 to 16 at a number of primary and secondary schools, higher learning and training centres in London, Milan and Bologna – the cities where the group has its principal offices.

YNAP's new London Technology Hub

The group recently revealed plans for a new London Technology Hub which will enable it to unite all of its UK technology team under one roof. The facility will be based at the former BBC premises, a short distance from Net-A-Porter.com's HQ in Westfield White City. When it opens in March 2017, it will house 650 staff in 70,000q ft of space designed by British architects Grimshaw.