It’s been an incredible few weeks for our Discover Tech programme. Following the success of our pilot, we’ve officially completed our first full-scale rollout in Manchester and London, working with our delivery partner, Connectr.
The two-day programme is structured to provide, insight, access and experience in a multitude of ways. From employer panels to programming a BBC Micro:bit to break a code or build a security system.
I’m still thoroughly impressed by the energy our students brought to the table. It’s a powerful reminder that when you open the door, the next generation of talent is ready to walk through it with confidence. 🚀
The Mission: Closing the Opportunity Gap
When we first sat down to design Discover Tech, our objective was clear but ambitious: we wanted to tackle the systemic barriers that prevent brilliant young minds from entering our industry. In the UK, the statistics are a wake-up call. Only 9% of tech workers come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and just 29% are women or non-binary.
We set out to create more than just a work experience programme; we set out to build a movement. Our goal is to provide meaningful, hands-on experience to students who might not otherwise have the professional networks to get a foot in the door. By 2029, we aim to reach over 7,000 young people across the UK, ensuring that talent (not just postcode or background) dictates who succeeds in tech. This initiative is the heartbeat of our UK and Ireland Manifesto, a commitment to ensuring that the digital economy is inclusive for everyone.
A Scale That Matters
We welcomed nearly 600 students across the two cities. In each, they spent a day together, hosted by UA92 in Manchester and the University of West London, before breaking into smaller groups to spend the day with employers. But for me, the most important metric wasn’t the number of attendees; it was who was in the room.
We intentionally focused on reaching those who are often overlooked by traditional recruitment paths. This included young carers, care leavers, and students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Seeing these groups represented, and seeing them thrive in a high-energy tech environment, reinforced exactly why we are doing this. We aren’t just filling roles; we are levelling the playing field for those who have the drive but haven’t always had the access.
Busting Myths and Building Connections
One of the most dynamic parts of the two days was our “Myth-Busting” panels. The conversations were nothing short of electric.
We wanted to strip away the misconceptions: Do you really need a coding background? Is every job just sitting behind a desk? Our senior leaders took to the stage to answer these head-on. What struck me most was the sheer enthusiasm. We’ve all been in rooms where a request for questions is met with silence; here, hands were up and students were “leaning in” with genuine curiosity. We were even joined by Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, whose presence sent a clear message: this work matters at the highest levels of our national agenda. 💡
A Collective Movement: Our Partners
We know that no single company can solve the skills gap alone. Discover Tech is a collaborative effort, and I want to extend a massive thank you to our founding partners and employer members: Accenture, Adobe, BBC, CDW, FDM, Highpoint, IBM, Kao Data Network Rail (working with PWC UK), NTT Data, Siemens, Softcat and WWT (World Wide Technology).
Working together, we showed students the sheer breadth of the industry. We gamified the experience with “Conversation Corners,” where students collected stickers for meaningful interactions. It wasn’t about ticking a box; it was about sparking real, human connections. Seeing students navigate these spaces, actively engaging with a diverse range of expertise, was a highlight for everyone involved. 🤝
Fresh Thinking, Real Impact
The ingenuity of this generation is staggering. In. Cisco on. Day 2 we tasked students with using AI chatbots to solve real-world problems in healthcare, and the solutions they developed in just a few hours rivalled projects I’ve seen from industry veterans.
It’s clear that these young people are “switched on.” We saw students who had participated in previous initiatives returning to build deeper connections, treating these sessions as a vital step in their career development. As one of our partners perfectly put it: “You’re not just giving young people a seat at the table, you’re helping them build it.”
The Road Ahead
This is only the beginning. We’re already planning for next year, with sights set on expanding to Cardiff, Birmingham, and Glasgow. Our ambition is to find a sustainable way to scale this, ensuring that students from underrepresented backgrounds, including caregivers and care leavers, have the support they need to thrive.
A huge thank you to our volunteers and partners. Your commitment is what makes this movement a reality. Onwards and upwards!
If you’d like to learn more about our commitment to skills and inclusion, or if you’re an employer interested in joining the movement, please reach out.
Authors
