Over the past few years, Sunderland Software City has been proud to run Digital Careers, funded by Sunderland City Council. The initiative has inspired over 8,000 young people acrossSunderland to explore careers in tech. The new programme will help more children and young people find out about careers in the sector.
The North East tech sector generates £11.6 billion in annual turnover and supports over 61,000 jobs, yet many young people in the region still face barriers to accessing opportunities in this growing industry.
Naomi Hutchinson, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at Sunderland City Council, says:
“We want every young person in Sunderland to see exciting futures for themselves in our city’s growing digital sector. The previous work in this space has laid the foundations for this new approach for Sunderland Digital CareersInnovation and Digital Careers Awareness Programmes and is a brilliant example of what collaboration can achieve to create real opportunities for our young people.”
Digital Careers is now working one-to-one with groups of students from Sunderland's schools across the year, with year-long embedded programmes. The programme delivers longer-term relationships with learners and teachers. This not only deepens the impact on each student but also helps the organisation measure what works and share those insights across the region.
Central to this approach is the Digital Innovation Challenge, where students tackle real-world business problems set by local tech companies. Each school is partnered with an industry mentor, from reputable industry specialists. They will guide students through developing digital solutions around themes like accessibility, sustainability and community innovation.
Emma McDermott, Assistant Vice Principal at Castle View Enterprise Academy, says:
“The previous programme has been truly inspiring for our students. Visiting tech businesses in the Sunderland area opened their eyes to the incredible job opportunities right on their doorstep. The interactive workshops had the ‘wow factor’ and gave students confidence to explore and demonstrate their skills. These experiences have sparked interest in future pathways and careers in this sector.”
Sunderland Software City’s real-world experience in the sector enabled them to respond to the Council’s requirements and better meet the needs of children and young people across the region, ensuring meaningful engagement with employers can build confidence, spark curiosity and open eyes to the digital opportunities on our door step.
Jill McKinney, Sunderland Software City and Digital Skills Council, says:
“It’s great to see the enthusiasm in the children for the tech sector. It’s our ambition to give every young person in the region insights into the tech sector and clear pathways into careers, if its right for them”
The new approach to Digital Careers requires collective action. We're calling on employers to commit workplace visits, councils to embed digital careers guidance and funders to help us scale this model region-wide.
