The UK government and leading technology firms have launched a joint initiative offering 10,000 work experience and placement opportunities to help young people enter the digital sector.
Major employers including Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Cognizant, AtkinsRéalis, Arm, Kainos, and QinetiQ have committed to opening up the placements over the next three years. The scheme forms part of the government’s Digital and Technologies Jobs Plan, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which sets an ambition to create or fill 20,000 entry-level roles annually.
The initiative aims to address youth unemployment, with nearly one million young people in the UK currently classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Alongside the corporate placements, the government is rolling out its TechFirst skills programme to secondary schools nationwide, targeting support for one million students, including 400,000 from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Under the TechFirst expansion, secondary school pupils will access tech clubs, industry workshops, workplace visits, and learning resources via the Ada Computer Science digital platform. The government is also encouraging employers across other sectors to pledge an additional 200,000 work experience placements for pupils aged 14 to 16 through local Careers Hubs.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham commented: “It’s one of the biggest frustrations when you’re starting out. Everyone tells you that you need experience to get a job, but nobody gives you the chance to get that experience in the first place. Thousands of young people will get the chance to get their foot in the door in one of the UK’s biggest growth sectors, build their confidence and skills, and get something meaningful on their CV. Our job is to back this generation, open those doors and give every young person a fair chance to build a good future for themselves, wherever they come from.”
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy agreed: “Our country is grappling a generational challenge – we cannot and will not let our young people be locked out of the British workforce. Getting a good job in our thriving digital and tech industry shouldn’t be determined by where you live or what school you go to. Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
“That’s why we’re making it easier for young people to build the skills and experience that lead to a fulfilling career through our TechFirst youth programme and Digital and Tech Skills Deal. Young people will be able to develop tech skills and gain work experience in the sector while at school, and we’re ensuring the industry then leaves its doors open for them when they finish education, with proper job opportunities and career pathways. We’re wrapping our arms around the next generation, making sure they get the skills and opportunities that match their talent and ambition, helping a whole generation thrive.”
In a related commercial announcement underscoring industry involvement in government skills initiatives, Belfast-headquartered IT services company Kainos committed to creating almost 350 jobs over the next three years to meet rising customer demand for AI. Corporate commitments from regional technology providers are designed to expand the entry-level talent pipeline across computing, software development, and artificial intelligence roles outside London.
Image source: Gov.uk
