The UK tech industry is booming but with persistent skills shortages and diversity gaps, it’s clear we need to rethink how we engage young people with tech careers.

Led by Cisco, we have launched Discover Tech. A practical, industry-led programme built to give every young person, whatever their background, the chance to explore tech, connect with employers, and build skills that matter.

The Challenge We’re Tackling

It’s no secret that opportunity isn’t evenly spread.

• 62% of young people not in education, employment, or training say lack of experience stops them moving forward.

• Only 9% of UK tech workers come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

• And just 29% are women or non-binary, with 25% from ethnic minority groups.

With nearly a million young people out of work or education, this is a challenge none of us can afford to ignore. As Nichola Hay MBE from Skills England put it:

“Initiatives like this are exactly the kind of response we need.”

A Fresh Approach to Early Engagement

Across the summer, led and hosted by Cisco, we held roundtable discussions where employers, teachers, and students shared what really matters. Now, we’re using those insights to finalise the programme blueprint ahead of its launch at another employer roundtable in September 2025 – so there’s still opportunity to get involved!

Together, we’re shaping Discover Tech to deliver practical, inspiring experiences, including:

• Multi-employer insight days showcasing the breadth of careers on offer.

• Employer-hosted sessions bringing small groups into workplaces for real-world experience and lasting connections.

• Facilitator-led skills sessions focused on essentials like confidence, communication, problem-solving, AI literacy, and career-ready behaviours.

• Wraparound support and mentoring to connect students with relatable role models, workplace know-how, and a realistic view of the sector.

Employers also highlighted practical barriers like safeguarding, space, and flexibility. We agreed that together we’ll design smart, workable solutions.

We’ll pilot Discover Tech with 100 students in London from February 2026, scaling to reach 7,000+ young people UK-wide by 2029.

Why It Makes Business Sense

It’s about futureproofing your workforce, tackling recruitment challenges at their root, and driving real, lasting change on social mobility.

As Laura from The Careers & Enterprise Company put it:

“You’re not just giving young people a seat at the table — you’re helping them build it.”

What’s Next?

Want to help shape the future of tech talent?
Contact Rachel at Rachel@connectr.com to explore how Discover Tech can help you meet your goals and make a difference that lasts.

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