Sunderland expands year-long digital careers support

Sunderland City Council has refreshed the Digital Careers programme, with Sunderland Software City set to expand year-long work with schools after reaching more than 8,000 young people in the city.

The initiative focuses on structured engagement with students and teachers across the academic year, rather than one-off sessions. Sunderland Software City runs the programme with funding from Sunderland City Council.

The move comes as the North East's technology sector reports £11.6 billion in annual turnover and more than 61,000 jobs. Programmeme organisers said many young people in the region still face barriers when accessing opportunities in the industry.

Naomi Hutchinson, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at Sunderland City Council, described the refreshed approach as a continuation of earlier work.

"We want every young person in Sunderland to see exciting futures for themselves in our city's growing digital sector. The previous work in this space has laid the foundations for this new approach for Sunderland Digital Careers Innovation and Digital Careers Awareness Programmemes and is a brilliant example of what collaboration can achieve to create real opportunities for our young people," said Naomi Hutchinson, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer, Sunderland City Council.

Year-long model

Digital Careers now works one-to-one with groups of students from Sunderland schools across the year. Organisers said the model creates longer-term relationships between the programme team, learners and teachers.

The programme said the approach deepens impact on each student. It also gives the organisers more scope to track outcomes and share lessons with others in the region.

The programme includes two strands described as the Sunderland Digital Careers Innovation and Digital Careers Awareness Programmemes. The organisers did not disclose funding levels, school numbers, or targets for additional participants under the refreshed model.

Industry challenge

At the centre of the updated model sits the Digital Innovation Challenge. It pairs schools with local technology companies and sector specialists. Each school receives an industry mentor.

Students work on business problems set by participating companies. They develop digital solutions linked to themes that include accessibility, sustainability and community innovation.

The programme described the mentors as reputable industry specialists. The organisers did not name partner companies or provide details on the sectors involved.

Teachers at participating schools pointed to earlier activity that involved workplace exposure and practical sessions. Emma McDermott, Assistant Vice Principal at Castle View Enterprise Academy, said the programme broadened students' understanding of local careers.

"The previous programme has been truly inspiring for our students. Visiting tech businesses in the Sunderland area opened their eyes to the incredible job opportunities right on their doorstep. The interactive workshops had the 'wow factor' and gave students confidence to explore and demonstrate their skills. These experiences have sparked interest in future pathways and careers in this sector," said Emma McDermott, Assistant Vice Principal, Castle View Enterprise Academy.

Skills pathway

Sunderland Software City said its experience of the sector informed the revised programme design. The organisation said employer engagement can shape students' perceptions of work and digital roles.

Jill McKinney, Sunderland Software City and Digital Skills Council, said the programme would continue to emphasise clearer routes from school into technology roles.

"It's great to see the enthusiasm in the children for the tech sector. It's our ambition to give every young person in the region insights into the tech sector and clear pathways into careers, if its right for them," said McKinney.

The organisers also issued a call for more participation from employers, local authorities and funders. They said employers could commit to workplace visits, councils could embed digital careers guidance, and funders could back expansion across the region.

Sunderland Software City said it plans to scale the model region-wide through a consortium approach, with more employers joining school partnerships in the Digital Innovation Challenge.