Software giant Sage has launched a £1.4m investment in programmes to help young people get the digital skills they need to pursue higher paying careers in the North East.
The FTSE 100-listed business is teaming up with Newcastle United Foundation, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the National Innovation Centre for Data based at Newcastle University to support 90,000 young people in the North East.
Sage's work with Newcastle United Foundation and the IET will focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and target disadvantaged young people and those not in education employment or training.
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Together, the partners will provide simulated experiences of jobs and careers, and interactive STEM learning via FIRST © LEGO © League, to train the next generation of regional workers, innovators, and business leaders.
Through the IET, Sage aims to reach 14,000 school children in the most deprived areas of the North East.
Meanwhile, its partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Data will provide computer science students with opportunities to solve real-world problems using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning - that's computer systems that can learn and adapt without being instructed to.
Undergraduates and post graduate students will be paired with Sage’s engineering and AI experts, offering them valuable career insights and learning experiences, as well as helping them find career opportunities in the North East.
The move has been welcomed by the Government.
Simon Clarke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, described Sage apprentices he met this week as "absolutely first class".
He added: “This transformational investment in the North East will help 90,000 young people get the skills they need to pursue successful digital careers. We know that jobs based on digital skills boost pay by an average of £8,000 a year.
“Providing people with a better chance at getting those jobs is how we build a high skill, high productivity economy with opportunities for all.”
Sage also pointed to the digital skills gap at a time when the North East technology sector is growing.
Paul Struthers, UK and Ireland MD at Sage, said: “Whether you want to start your own business or play a role in one, digital skills are essential to business success. Sage is committed to knocking down barriers by addressing the digital skills gap to empower people to join and build the businesses of the future.
“We want to inspire and support more young people to develop STEM skills, and together with our partners we will help tackle this challenge; unlocking the extraordinary potential of the region and ensuring we have a strong pipeline of regional talent.”
Sarah Medcalf, deputy head of Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We are thrilled that Sage have agreed to become our first ever ‘technology partner,’ helping us transform the way school children and young people transition from education to careers as part of our NUFutures programme.
“Together, we will introduce young people to career possibilities in the technology sector, through mentoring, personal development and innovative virtual reality scenarios in a growing number of STEM roles available across the region. Sage will also be our lead partner for an annual STEM event held at NUCASTLE attended by over 2,000 school children.
“Supporting the next generation to explore skilled careers in a purpose-built facility on their doorstep is key and we are proud to be leading the way for scientists, engineers, mathematicians, technology and digital experts of the future.”
David Lakin, head of education, safeguarding and education policy at the IET, added: “We are delighted to partner with Sage to help bring our FIRST® LEGO® League programme to more young people in the North East, providing them with the opportunity to learn and develop their STEM skills whilst having fun at the same time.
"Thanks to Sage’s generous support, the IET is able to inspire and inform more young people as part of our mission and raise awareness of STEM careers to help engineer a better world for us all.”
