A new initiative called TechFirst has been unveiled to equip young people in the West Midlands with essential digital skills, aiming to prevent them from being left behind in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Programme Details
TechFirst will provide young individuals aged 11 to 18 with early exposure to cutting-edge technologies such as Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Engineering Biology, Quantum Technologies, and Semiconductors. The programme is delivered by WM5G in partnership with Digital Innovators, serving as the youth delivery partner for the West Midlands Combined Authority region.
Addressing the Skills Gap
Officials highlight a significant skills shortage in the region, with 56% of people lacking essential digital skills for employment, despite the digital economy supporting over 140,000 jobs and growing rapidly.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker stated: "We cannot afford to let our young people fall behind at a time when technology is rapidly changing the world of work. We must prepare young people for this new tech-driven economy, and that's why programmes like TechFirst are so important. It means we can start early, building the skills and confidence needed in high-growth industries like AI, cyber security, and advanced engineering. By doing this, we give businesses the talent they need to innovate and grow, and young people the skills to secure a job around which they can build a successful future."
Lesley Holt, Adoption Director at WM5G, added: "Frontier technologies are reshaping how every sector operates, from healthcare to advanced manufacturing, but too many young people still don't know what these technologies are, or where they could take them. TechFirst is designed to change that - building awareness and confidence, strengthening understanding beyond the national curriculum, and helping young people see how these skills apply across a wide range of careers, not just within the technology sector."
Partnerships and Hands-On Learning
The collaboration will bring together schools, colleges, and employers to connect young people directly with real-world technologies. Through in-school sessions and access to a dedicated physical Frontier Tech Lab in Birmingham, TechFirst Youth will offer direct, hands-on exposure to the technologies shaping the future of work. Schools and colleges can connect students with immersive experiences that bring these technologies to life.
For more information, visit www.wm5g.org.uk.
