Thousands of young people across Britain are set to gain their first professional experience in the technology sector under a new government-backed initiative designed to tackle youth
unemployment, close digital skills gaps and create clearer pathways into well-paid careers.
Major companies, including Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Cognizant, AtkinsRéalis, Arm, Kainos and QinetiQ, have pledged to provide 10,000 work experience opportunities over the next three years. The placements will help young people develop practical skills, strengthen their CVs and gain insight into one of the country's key growth industries.
The announcement comes as the government confronts the challenge of nearly one million young people who are not in employment, education or training. Ministers say that improving access to workplace experience and providing earlier career guidance will be essential to preventing young people from becoming disconnected from the labour market.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the initiative would address a familiar obstacle for people entering the workforce: employers often demand previous experience, leaving school leavers and first-time jobseekers struggling to secure their first opportunity.
The programme aims to give thousands of young people the chance to build confidence, develop professional skills and demonstrate their potential to prospective employers, regardless of their background.
Tech education to reach every secondary school
Alongside the new placements, the government has confirmed that its TechFirst programme is now available to all secondary schools across the UK. The initiative aims to reach one million students by 2028, bringing forward its original target by a year. At least 400,000 participants are expected to come from disadvantaged schools.
Students will be able to access technology workshops, practical skills sessions, career presentations, workplace visits, technology clubs and inter-school competitions. They will also gain access to Ada Computer Science, an online learning platform supporting the development of computing skills.
The programme is intended to introduce young people to potential careers before they leave school, helping them understand the qualifications and experience needed to enter the digital economy.
The government also wants to improve representation in the technology workforce, particularly among women and girls and young people from disadvantaged communities.
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy said access to technology careers should depend on talent and ambition rather than a student's postcode or the school they attend. She added that the government was working with employers and education providers to connect skills development with genuine employment opportunities.
Target of 20,000 entry-level jobs a year
The initiative forms part of the government's newly published Digital and Technologies Jobs Plan, which sets an ambition to create 20,000 entry-level positions annually.
The strategy brings together government departments, businesses and education providers to strengthen recruitment pathways and ensure that training reflects the changing needs of Britain's technology industry. The initial 10,000 work experience placements will be provided by companies participating in the TechFirst initiative.
Ministers are encouraging additional technology businesses to join the government's Digital and Tech Skills Deal and commit to offering workplace opportunities. Employers can also work with their local Careers Hubs to provide placements for secondary school pupils.
The government has separately called on employers across the economy to create an additional 200,000 work experience opportunities, ensuring that young people aged 14 to 16 can gain exposure to the workplace. Potential placements could span sectors including construction, accountancy and digital media.
The Digital and Technologies Jobs Plan is one of several industrial strategy initiatives being introduced to expand access to skilled employment. Plans for professional and business services, construction and defence are also intended to increase apprenticeship, training and vocational opportunities.
Together, the measures are designed to support Britain's economic growth by developing the workforce required by industries with significant potential for expansion.
Wider push to tackle youth unemployment
The technology initiative is part of a broader government effort to improve young people's transition from education into employment. The forthcoming Milburn Review will examine opportunities for young people, while the government's Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that every young person has a route into work or learning.
Ministers argue that conventional welfare reforms alone will not resolve the problem. They are calling for closer cooperation between employers, local authorities, mayors and education providers, alongside earlier intervention to prevent young people from leaving education or training without a clear next step.
The government is also expanding opportunities in other sectors. Great British Railways is expected to introduce 600 foundation apprenticeships over four years for people aged 16 to 21, providing paid learning opportunities in an industry where fewer than 7% of workers are under 25.
Education reforms are intended to complement these employment initiatives. Measures include strengthening computing education, introducing a new Computing GCSE and improving digital and media literacy so that pupils can navigate online information critically and recognise misinformation and disinformation.
The wider technical education programme includes Technical Excellence Colleges, new V Levels, expanded T Levels and proposed Vocational GCSEs, alongside university pathways.
Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the objective was to ensure that young people could build successful careers regardless of their circumstances. She described TechFirst as a way to give students the practical abilities, confidence and industry exposure needed to turn their ambitions into realistic career prospects.
The government says the combined measures will help establish stronger links between schools, vocational education and employers, while supporting its wider Modern Industrial Strategy. The central challenge will be ensuring that the new placements and training opportunities translate into sustained employment, particularly for young people who face the greatest barriers to entering the workforce.
