South West partnership secures role delivering government's flagship tech skills programme
Seven organisations will deliver TechFirst for Schools and Colleges, funded by UK Government, across the South West, connecting schools and colleges with digital skills, career inspiration and local employers.
Press release
A partnership of seven organisations spanning the South West has been appointed as the regional delivery partner for TechFirst for Schools and Colleges, funded by UK Government.
The partnership will deliver skills-building activities, career inspiration and employer engagement opportunities for schools and colleges across the region from September 2026, helping more young people develop digital skills and progress into technology career pathways.
Nationally, TechFirst for Schools and Colleges aims to reach one million students across the UK, including 400,000 in disadvantaged schools, through opportunities to build digital and technology skills, gain confidence with artificial intelligence and explore technology careers. Regional delivery partners work with schools, employers and education providers to deliver activity locally.
The South West partnership brings together techSPARK, CyNam, Graphic Science, Cognition Learning, Dorset Council's Digital Skills Partnership, Mangorolla and Tech Cornwall, organisations that have a strong track record supporting schools and colleges across South West England.
Building on a strong foundation
The appointment builds on six years of growth in digital and cyber education enrichment across the South West. CyberFirst began in Gloucestershire in 2020 and expanded across the region.
Alongside the recognition programme, schools have accessed initiatives including EmPower Cyber, CyberHorizons, the CyberFirst Girls Competition and regional conferences connecting young people with employers, universities and colleges.
TechFirst for Schools and Colleges will build on that foundation while broadening the focus beyond cyber security into areas including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, engineering biology and advanced telecommunications.
A regional partnership
The seven organisations that make up TechFirst South West bring together expertise spanning education, technology, careers engagement and workforce development.
The partnership was formed to ensure schools and colleges across the region, from urban centres to rural and coastal communities, can access high-quality technology skills programmes and stronger connections with employers and higher education.
What schools and colleges can access
- Hands-on skills-building activities and career inspiration days
- Connections with local technology employers through speakers, workplace visits and project-based learning
- The TechFirst learning platform, planned to launch in autumn 2026
- National competitions, including the TechFirst Girls Competition
- TechFirst school recognition at bronze, silver and gold levels
- Opportunities linked to key GCSE and post-16 options decision points
Additional activity will be developed throughout the programme, drawing on successful approaches already piloted by partner organisations across the region. There is no cost to schools.
The programme aims to increase the number of young people progressing into digital and computing qualifications at 14 and 16, including both academic and vocational pathways, with particular focus on disadvantaged communities and groups currently underrepresented within the technology sector.
Getting involved
Schools, colleges and organisations interested in taking part can contact the TechFirst South West team.
TechFirst is run by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Full programme information on GOV.UK.