High school pupils from school in the Lancaster district have been trying out technologies of the future thanks to a pioneering scheme.
They’ve been trying ground breaking technologies like AI, cyber security, virtual reality, robotics and machine learning, to name but a few, thanks to a drive backed by Lancashire County Council and major blue-chip firms.
'MEGA Hubs’ is a series of innovative enrichment career days promoting skills and technology in colleges across Lancashire.
This means pupils from diverse backgrounds from right across Lancashire will get to try the technologies of the future and find out what career opportunities they could bring.
Lancaster and Morecambe College hosted a group of 47 pupils from Carnforth High School, Morecambe Bay Academy, Lancaster High School and Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy.
Katie and Bella, both Year 7 pupils from Carnforth High School, were fascinated by a task which involved cracking a code to access an online game.
Katie said: "It's great - at first, I thought it was easy, but now I'm finding it a little bit harder."
Bella agreed, adding: "I'm finding it really good, trying to code things. It does make me think that maybe I could do this in the future."
Julie, also a Y7 pupil, added: "I'm finding it really interesting. I like building a game up. I'm learning something I could maybe see myself doing in future."
Another Y7 pupil, Una, said: "I'm enjoying this. I've never really done anything like this before so this is new, but it is really interesting."
In another task, pupils learned how to remotely move around block code robotic balls called 'Sphero BOLTS' on outer space themed floor mats, demonstrating that tech skills can be integrated into multiple subjects.
Pupil Josh said: "It's really fun. I do like controlling the robotic ball."
With the MEGA Hubs being run in partnership with IN4 Group, an award-winning technology group, the MEGA Hubs are aimed at providing a bespoke industry-informed enrichment programme to improve outcomes for local young people.
Lauren Monks, Director of CyberFirst and MEGA Hubs at IN4 Group, said: "I’m delighted to have secured from Lancashire County Council this investment to deliver the Lancashire MEGA Hubs programme, which has been matched by our industry partners.
"We're passionate about enabling all young people to achieve their potential, regardless of their socioeconomic or disadvantaged background, and we absolutely know we can achieve this through a bespoke technology programme.
"It will have a hugely beneficial impact by giving young people first hand understanding of the highly skilled career pathways open to them.
"We are confident that it will enable tech first experiences and opportunities encompassing all emerging technologies, helping bridge the digital skills gap and creating a diverse and dynamic workforce for the future."
The MEGA Hubs are part of a wider programme promoting digital and technological skills and career opportunities to groups of school children from primary through to secondary.
The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub oversees a wider programme across the educational journey including Lancashire’s Cyber Festival Education Week, Cyber Fairy Tales, the MOD Digital and Cyber Bursary targeted at college students, events promoting technological developments, and T level placements, to name but a few, which incorporates the MEGA Hubs.
IN4, a leading professional technology skills provider, and its industry partners such as IBM, KPMG UK, Northrop Grumman, CGI, QinetiQ, Energus, Roke and BT, and government partners like the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the National Cyber Force (NCF), are supporting the initiative.
CC Matthew Salter, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Education and Skills, commented: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with our partners to bring this pioneering programme to Lancashire school children.
"Thanks to the MEGA Hubs, we are able to help young people achieve their very best, from all backgrounds and from all walks of life, and we are incredibly proud of our cutting edge, innovative programme which really allows them to gain first hand insight into the very forefront of new technologies in the workplace''
"This scheme is about enabling young people to gain first hand insight into how they can gain new skills and use technology as part of their future careers.
"It will have a hugely beneficial impact by giving young people experience of just some of the highly skilled careers they could do in future."
CC Brian Moore, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, said: "We are incredibly excited about the Lancashire MEGA Hubs and the opportunities it will bring to our young people. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic goals to create a skilled and inclusive workforce and meet the growing demand for digital, cyber and tech skills from our employers. By partnering with IN4 Group, we are confident that we can inspire the next generation of digital professionals and ensure that Lancashire remains at the forefront of technological innovation.
"We are confident that it will enable innovative experiences and opportunities encompassing all emerging technologies, helping bridge the digital skills gap and creating a diverse and dynamic workforce for the future."
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