Building tomorrow's tech talent: Digital Catapult launch second year of partnership
Following a successful first year reaching more than 560 young people across the North East, Digital Catapult and EDT are extending their partnership and expanding to Northern Ireland, the South West and Wales to deliver even more hands-on STEM opportunities over the next academic year.
The partnership, which launched in 2025 through the North East Pathways to Employment programme, has already demonstrated the power of bringing education and industry together. In its first year, the programme engaged 563 young people across five schools through immersive experience days, a regional competition and a celebration event. The activities helped students develop technical knowledge, confidence and employability skills while introducing them to exciting careers in emerging technologies.
The first year focused on giving students practical experience with technologies including virtual reality and immersive environments, while encouraging teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and innovation. The programme also connected students directly with employers and industry professionals, helping them better understand the breadth of opportunities available within STEM. View the success of the partnership so far in their Impact Report.
Beyond the classroom, the partnership strengthened connections between education, employers and regional stakeholders. Industry volunteers supported competition events, employer roundtables helped shape future activity, and two programmes achieved Industrial Cadets accreditation, creating even stronger pathways into STEM careers.
Building on this success, the second year will expand the programme's reach including 10 Challenger Experience Days, giving even more students the opportunity to explore emerging technologies through hands-on activities. Five Accelerated Bronze Industrial Cadets projects, enabling young people to develop workplace skills while working on meaningful STEM challenges. While enabling a return of the popular North East Pathways to Employment Competition, giving students the chance to showcase their creativity, innovation and teamwork. By leveraging Digital Catapult’s place-based approach to deep tech innovations, the next phase will also take advantage of regional hubs across the North East, Northern Ireland, and the South West and Wales.
Together, these activities will continue to inspire young people, strengthen employer engagement and help develop the future STEM workforce by providing meaningful experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world careers.
Deborah Colville, Director of Place at Digital Catapult said: "Young people continue to face significant challenges and strong competition when entering the workplace, making investment in future digital skills more important than ever. We’re incredibly proud of the experiences and skills students have developed during the first year of the programme, and I’m delighted that we are continuing our partnership with the Engineering Development Trust.
Our ambition is to inspire even more young people to pursue careers in deep tech innovation by giving them meaningful opportunities to connect with industry and build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to succeed. As we enter the second year, Digital Catapult is pleased to support the Engineering Development Trust in expanding the programme across Northern Ireland, the South West and Wales, strengthening local industry partnerships and creating even more opportunities for businesses to support and inspire the next generation of talent.
Through these connections, we will continue to support students' personal and professional development, deepen their understanding of deep technologies, and help unlock exciting career opportunities for the UK's next generation of innovators and pioneers."
Julie Feest OBE, CEO of Industrial Cadets and EDT said: “The first year of our partnership has shown the difference that sustained, high-quality STEM engagement can make. By working alongside Digital Catapult, schools and employers, we've created opportunities that help young people develop skills, broaden aspirations and better understand the exciting careers available to them. We're looking forward to expanding the programme into the second year and creating even more opportunities for students to thrive.”
As Digital Catapult and EDT enter the next phase of their partnership, both organisations remain committed to ensuring young people from all backgrounds can access inspiring STEM experiences, build future-ready skills and discover the exciting opportunities that exist within the UK's growing technology sector.
