Consortium of North West industry leaders collaborating to grow the next generation of tech talent

PwC is part of a group of leading employers in the North West who are collaborating to combine forces to grow and diversify the pool of tech talent in the region. 

This consortium is made up of leading businesses operating in the North West: ANS, Arup, BAE Systems, CloudCo Solutions, GCHQ, ITV, Microsoft, Natwest, Siemens, Talk Talk, the University of Salford and PwC. Our aspiration is that by collaborating together, we can make progress on a greater scale than if done individually to attract a more diverse workforce into technology roles, which is critical to ensuring success at the scale and pace needed to support the region in fulfilling its potential for growth.

To increase the size and diversity of technology talent in the region, the group of businesses will focus their efforts on two areas: outreach to young people through education, and improving the skills of tech returners and those looking to re-skill in a new profession. 

The first step in the group's activities is to invite students into their offices to explore what a job in tech has to offer. Each session will allow students and teachers to meet business leaders, find out more about the opportunities a job in tech can bring, and dispel myths around tech roles.

This initial event, which is being held at the PwC Manchester office, is the first in a series of in person activities and is part of a wider programme of sustained support on offer to students primarily aged 16-18. The businesses will also be showcasing and celebrating the diverse talent the region has through a social media campaign to raise awareness around working in tech. 

For those who have already begun their career, the group will be focusing on how to support people who are interested in returning to a career in tech, and those looking to reskill after working in a non-tech background. 

Speaking on behalf of PwC, Ben Higgin, Head of Technology and Investments said:

"There is huge untapped and diverse talent in the region, and businesses are well placed to find the next generation of leaders. That’s why we're working with this group of like-minded companies, alongside the education sector and the GMCA, to provide opportunities in tech.

“We really want young people to see that roles in technology are wide ranging and there is a huge amount of opportunity for varied and interesting careers. Technology is about making a difference to people’s lives by understanding and helping to solve everyday problems.  We need a diverse range of views and perspectives to make technology work for everyone, whether that’s supporting the changes needed to tackle the climate crisis or helping companies work in ways that are fit for the modern world.

Our work across the consortium aligns with our New Equation strategy, and will help solve business and societal problems through human-led, tech-powered solutions.”

GMCA Digital Lead for Employment, Work, Skills & Digital, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, said the initiative is taking steps towards addressing an important issue in the region. He added:

“This group of businesses are collaborating together, alongside the GMCA, to take real action around an important issue facing our region, and they have my full support in attracting and developing the best and brightest tech talent for Manchester and the North West.

“Every organisation in this group is facing the same challenges around the need for more technology talent and they recognise that to increase the talent in the region they need to be inclusive and offer opportunities to a wide range of people. Manchester is fast becoming the UK’s leading digital region, and one of the fastest growing in Europe, so the opportunities here are endless. We want to make sure that people are considering a career in technology and that the talent we have is diverse and representative of our region.”

The first of the tech sessions will be held at PwC’s Manchester office on Tuesday 4th October and details will be shared with schools and colleges directly, with the support of GMCA.