The UK government is creating 10,000 work experience opportunities in the tech sector as the prime minister sets out to remove one of the “biggest frustrations” for those starting careers.
IT firms including Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Cognizant and Arm are backing the plans, announced as the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its Digital and Technologies Jobs Plan.
Prime minister Andy Burnham described the catch-22 situation young people face when starting out on their career paths. “Everyone tells you that you need experience to get a job, but nobody gives you the chance to get that experience in the first place,” he said.
Burnham said the latest announcement will mean “thousands of young people will get the chance to get their foot in the door in one of the UK’s biggest growth sectors”, thus enabling them to “build their confidence and skills, and get something meaningful on their CV”.
He warned last week that the longer young people are left adrift from education, employment or training, the more likely they are to become disconnected from society. The government said nearly one million young people are not in employment, education or training.
Opportunity deficit
Backing the announcement, Lisa Nandy, DCMS minister, said “talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.”
The government also recently committed to all secondary schools accessing its programme, TechFirst, which aims to offer training to one million school students by 2028 – including 400,000 from the most disadvantaged schools.
“Getting a good job in our thriving digital and tech industry shouldn’t be determined by where you live or what school you go to,” she said. “That’s why we’re making it easier for young people to build the skills and experience that lead to a fulfilling career through our TechFirst youth programme and Digital and Tech Skills Deal.
“Young people will be able to develop tech skills and gain work experience in the sector while at school, and we’re ensuring the industry then leaves its doors open for them when they finish education, with proper job opportunities and career pathways.”
As part of the Digital and Tech Sector Jobs Plan, the government wants 20,000 entry-level roles to be created by employers each year. According to the government’s Sector skills needs assessment – digital and technologies research from June 2026, 800,000 digital and tech roles need filling by 2035.
Separately, in June, the government announced an Early Careers Jobs Alliance aimed at helping young people gain access to technology education to give them the skills needed for modern and future roles.
The partnership between government, the tech sector and trade unions assesses what businesses and students will need for entry-level roles in an AI-driven future, providing businesses with best practice for offering entry roles and giving students training to ensure they can get on the career ladder.
Part of the initiative includes free AI bootcamps to provide young people, who may otherwise become not in education, employment or training after their GCSEs, with a clear career path.
