Empower
- Years 7 to 9
- Once a year, Gloucestershire
A free hands-on day for Years 7 to 9, with girls-only, SEND and mixed sessions. Talk to us if your activity could be part of it.
Better together
We all share one mission: getting more young people from diverse backgrounds into technology.
Joining up opportunities. Opening more doors
If your activity compliments the TechFirst programme, let's connect. Together, we can make it easier for students, teachers and industry partners to take part.
For students
Connected opportunities to explore technology, build skills and discover where their interests could take them.
For teachers
A clearer view of activities and support for their school or college, making it easier to find the right opportunities.
For industry partners
Meaningful ways to contribute expertise and connect with schools, colleges and existing outreach activity.
How we support each other
Support goes both ways: together we can connect more schools, reach more young people and make every activity count.
- Referrals between programmes
- Introductions to schools
- Industry connections
- Shared and joint events
- Opportunities to collaborate
- Sharing resources and good practice
What we already run
A quick guide to our regional activities, so you can see where your work fits and where we could join up.
Hands-on days
Big regional days where your activity could reach more schools.
Horizons
- Years 7 to 11
- Once a year, across the South West
A region-wide hands-on day for Years 7 to 11. A good fit for activities that help students make subject or career choices.
Meet people in tech
Ways for students to meet industry, researchers and role models.
Checkpoint
- Students who attended Empower or Horizons
- A few online sessions a year
Online follow-up sessions that keep students engaged after a hands-on day.
Ignite
- Years 10 to 13
- One week a year, across the South West
A shared work experience week, with a different host each day.
Tech Lectures
- Years 12 and 13
- Once a year, across the South West
A yearly lecture for sixth form students on a major tech topic.
Launchpad
- Years 10 to 13
- Three webinars, winter and spring
Online talks from recent apprentices and students. Run with support from AAN.
Switchboard
- Schools, colleges and employers
- Available all year
An online noticeboard for placements, trips and resources that schools can browse.
I’m a Computer Scientist
- Students aged 8 to 18
- Available all year
A moderated, text-only question-and-answer platform connecting classes with people working in tech, run by delivery partner Mangorolla. A proven way to reach rural and coastal schools that other providers find hard to reach.
Teachers: sign up to take partFounders’ Forge SW
- Years 10 to 13, small groups
- Available all year
One-to-one mentoring from founders for young entrepreneurs.
Support for teachers
Teacher networks where you can share your offer.
Circuit
- Teachers of Years 7 to 11
- Available all year
Ready-to-teach lesson plans and resources for Years 7 to 11.
Fusion
- Computing teachers
- Once a year
Teacher training with an employer, followed up in school.
Connect
- Teachers
- Once a term, online
Local teacher meetups where you can share your offer.
Catalyst
- Schools without a specialist computing teacher
- Ongoing
Support for schools without a specialist computing teacher.
Ecosystem Conference
- Teachers, employers and outreach providers
- Twice a year
Meet teachers and partners from across the region and share your programmes.
Let's reach more young people together
Get in touch to explore collaboration.