UK launches TechFirst scheme to place women in tech jobs

The UK government has launched the TechFirst Women's Programme to help 300 women move into paid technology jobs. The scheme forms part of the government's GBP £187 million TechFirst skills investment.

The programme is designed to place women in roles in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other high-growth technology fields. It aims to support participants into jobs lasting at least six months. Placements are expected to run for at least 25 hours a week and may be offered in person, on a hybrid basis or remotely.

The initiative targets women at several career stages, including those starting their careers, changing profession, returning after a break and mid-career professionals. The target mix is weighted towards experienced applicants, with 80% of candidates expected to be mid-career and 20% early stage.

Participants will receive skills development, mentoring and career support before being matched with live vacancies. After entering work, they will continue to receive technical training and in-work support through a network of delivery partners, including recruiters, universities and specialist training groups.

Employers joining the scheme will receive free candidate sourcing and matching, along with technical and non-technical training, onboarding support and help with continuing professional development. The programme is aimed particularly at smaller businesses, which are expected to account for 80% of roles, with the remaining 20% going to larger employers.

The policy addresses a longstanding imbalance in the sector. Women make up 21% of the UK technology workforce, according to figures cited by the programme, despite representing 48% of the wider UK workforce. The gap is wider in some specialist fields, with women accounting for 20% of the AI workforce and 16% of cybersecurity.

The wider economic backdrop helps explain the focus on technology recruitment. The UK digital and technology sector contributed GBP £158 billion in gross value added in 2024, equivalent to about 6% of total UK GVA, and employed 1.33 million people. AI alone contributed GBP £11.8 billion in GVA that year.

Ministers have framed the programme as both a labour market intervention and an inclusion measure. Vicky Foxcroft, Minister for Digital Inclusion, linked it to wider government aims to improve access to emerging technology careers.

"This is exactly the kind of practical, targeted support TechFirst was designed to deliver, helping women move into some of the fastest-growing and most in-demand careers in the country. By connecting talented women with employers who need their skills, we're not just opening doors for individuals, we're strengthening the UK's technology sector for the long term. Every woman should be able to see a future in AI, cybersecurity and the technologies shaping tomorrow," said Vicky Foxcroft, Minister for Digital Inclusion at the UK Government.

Delivery model

Plexal is leading the programme, supported by core partners WeAreTheCity, CAPSLOCK, Sanderson and Beta Technology. Sector-specific training support is being provided by institutions including Cardiff University, Royal Holloway, University of London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Barnsley College, the University of Nottingham, Lancaster University and the University of Bristol.

Regional partners include Tech SY, CyNam, Northern Reach / Cybec, CW Connected, Women in Tech North East and Manchester Metropolitan University. The structure is intended to build a nationwide pipeline rather than concentrate opportunities in one city or one part of the technology market.

Lisa Perkins, Chief People Officer at Plexal, said the UK's ability to strengthen its position in fast-growing technologies depended on widening access to the workforce.

"The UK has a huge opportunity to lead the next wave of technological innovation, including the burgeoning AI industry, but only if we tap into the wide breadth of talent available to us. Sadly, we're not doing this. I've had a 27-year career in technology, designing and delivering cutting-edge tech, and was very much in the minority throughout. I've seen the landscape shift, but it still needs acute attention to make further progress. Women are under-represented across the industry and it's costing us dearly, challenging our growth and competitiveness. Levelling the playing field is not simply about fairness - it's an economic necessity. Moreover, technology design and adoption benefit from the inclusion of diverse perspectives and inputs. This new initiative aims to put this right. It's not another 'training programme' but a holistic approach that enables women to thrive in technology careers while supporting employers to access the talent they're missing out on. In turn, we're enabling the UK to accelerate adoption of strategic technologies, and that's how we drive economic growth and resilience nationwide," said Lisa Perkins, Chief People Officer at Plexal.

Career barriers

The programme also draws on testimony from women already working in the sector who describe the difficulty of entering tech without access to networks or formal support. Obiageli Okafor, Senior Product Manager at 8x8, said her own route into the industry involved a prolonged search and work outside the sector before she secured an internship.

"When I started out, it was really difficult for me to land a role in tech. I didn't have access to opportunities, the right network or any real guidance. It was hugely difficult. I was looking for jobs anywhere and everywhere. I ended up doing odd jobs just to survive, from filling shelves in supermarkets to working in customer service. After months of trying, I finally landed a product intern role. Had there been a programme like the TechFirst Women's Programme, it would have made all the difference. Women need to see other women in these roles to know that a career in technology is achievable. The TechFirst Women's Programme will increase that representation and make it possible. It will encourage women to see that there are so many opportunities in tech - it really is limitless," said Obiageli Okafor.