Digital Talent

Grow the tech-talent pipeline, raising aspirations and skills levels and creating clear pathways into the opportunities in digital for all.

Digital careers can offer people in the North East fantastic opportunities with the latest research showing the digital tech sector in the North East is growing four times faster than the North East economy. The North East digital economy employs approximately 30,000 people through various roles which offer amazing opportunities across private and public sector to work on exciting and innovative projects.

However, these careers are not obvious choices for many and a recent North East Digital skills audit identified that half of the North East’s digital organisations found it difficult to fill positions. Further challenges exist regarding Diversity within the digital economy, for example, only an estimated 30% of digital employees are women.

We will work closely with the skills and employment portfolio to contribute specialist knowledge and networks to build upon the existing programmes of change in this area.

To improve this the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority has identified the following goals:

  • People have access to advice, training and guidance to help them start a digital career.
  • Increase the take up of Digital training through Apprenticeships, Degrees, T levels and other qualifications
  • Target skills training at career switchers and increase the numbers of people joining the workforce as a second career.
  • Increase the diversity within the digital economy
  • Public and private sector will work together to foster careers in the North East

Initiatives by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority councils include:

  • Careers talks in schools including online appearance and awareness of social engineering. 
  • Supporting schools involved in CyberFirst Schools scheme, a National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) initiative that formally recognises secondary schools and colleges demonstrating excellence in cyber security education.
  • Supporting schools involved in CyberFirst Girls, a UK wide NCSC competition designed to inspire girls to explore cyber security through fun, team based challenges.
  • Supporting schools involved in CyberFirst Horizons, a fully funded, three week summer programme for Year 12 students, designed to give them real world experience, industry insight, and hands on skills in cyber security and technology.
  • Developed a cyber themed escape room game / app created for school children to help teach cyber security that can also be used for businesses.
  • Adult digital and cyber courses.
  • Computing curriculum support.
  • Digital skills courses and inclusion.
  • Digital Northumberland:Digital transformation and digital skills strategy.
  • Tech Talent Expo schools career fair talking to local secondary schools about working in operational IT in local government. 
  • Participation in College Advisory Boards to strengthen link between college and local employers.
  • A 3 year programme of innovation challenges working one-to-one with groups of students from Sunderland’s schools. Additional support includes newsletters, tech talks, aligning with industry and demonstrating industry pathways.
  • Hosting MSc students from Newcastle University to educate in Smart City initiatives with a focus on connected autonomous mobility.
  • Various wide-ranging digital skills initiatives as part of Digital Inclusion programmes.

Contact

marcus.rees.harris@northeast-ca.gov.uk