Young people will have access to cyber and digital skills.
We Discover Digital is a skills pilot project led by Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub which will work with over 500 students in the region.
Skills England has reported that 81% of hard-to-fill vacancies in the £158bn digital sector come as the result of skills shortages in the sector.
Meanwhile, less than a third of UK businesses are confident they can access the digital skills they need over the next 3-5 years.
Oli de Botton, CEO of The Careers and Enterprise Company said: “The digital sector is fundamental to our future economic growth.
“However, too often, disadvantaged young people face additional barriers to taking up opportunities, this leaves potential unfulfilled potential for young people and employers.”
We Discover Digital addresses that as part of a Careers and Enterprise Company initiative backed by a £1m investment from global tech giant Salesforce.
The project will create opportunities for young people in Leicester and Leicestershire to increase their awareness and understanding of vocational and technical routes into cyber and digital careers.
Gerarde Manley, Strategic Careers Hub Lead, said: “Our research shows that digital is a key growth sector in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“To maximise that potential, we need to demonstrate to young people the breadth of opportunities available. We Discover Digital will do that while boosting the future talent pipeline.
There are 7,800 high-value jobs in digital in Leicester and Leicestershire, with research estimating the potential to deliver a further 2,300 more by 2030.
As well as industry experience placements and parent and carer events, it will provide educators with updates on industry needs and share success stories to build apprenticeship pathways.
Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub is one of only five centres in the UK to win funding and will focus on careers in growing industries including AI, cyber security, game design, programming and coding, and esports.
