Artificial intelligence. Quantum technologies. Semiconductors. Engineering biology. Advanced telecommunications. Cyber security.
These are big areas of technology, but what do they actually mean to a 14 year old in Cornwall deciding what to study next?
That is one of the challenges Tech Cornwall will be tackling over the next three years as part of TechFirst South West, bringing frontier technologies into schools and colleges and connecting young people with the industries, people and opportunities behind them.
And this is where Cornwall’s tech community comes in.
From frontier technology to real careers
TechFirst South West is a partnership of seven organisations, led by techSPARK, delivering the South West schools and colleges strand of the UK Government’s TechFirst programme.
It builds on the relationships and activities established through CyberFirst South West, but significantly broadens the conversation.
Alongside cyber security, young people will encounter artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, engineering biology and advanced telecommunications.
Some will already have heard plenty about AI. Others may have absolutely no idea what a semiconductor engineer does, why quantum technology matters, or how advanced telecommunications could affect a rural county like Cornwall.
More importantly, they may not realise that there could be a place for them in any of these industries.
Our job is not simply to tell students that these technologies exist. We want to give them opportunities to explore them, meet the people working with them and understand the different routes that can turn an interest at school into a future career.
More opportunities for Cornwall’s schools
TechFirst gives us the opportunity to reach more secondary schools across Cornwall and provide greater support to those schools over the next three years.
Schools will have access to:
- Practical activities and experiences introducing frontier technologies.
- A nationwide collection of resources that teachers can use in school.
- Events where students can explore technology and teachers can develop their own knowledge.
- Opportunities for young people to engage with technology professionals.
- Information about study, training and career routes into emerging technology industries.
- The TechFirst Schools Awards, recognising sustained engagement through Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation.
But resources and activities are only part of the picture.
We need Cornwall’s tech community too
A young person can read about a technology. Meeting somebody who actually works with it is different.
Over the next three years we want to bring more of Cornwall’s technology community into our work with schools.
That does not necessarily mean giving up days to run workshops. It could mean talking to a group of students about your job, contributing to an activity, helping us understand the skills your sector needs, providing a real industry challenge, hosting a visit, joining an online session or simply helping us answer the inevitable question:
“What would I actually do in a job like that?”
For Cornwall’s businesses, there is a longer term reason to get involved too.
The students sitting in Cornwall’s classrooms today are our future developers, engineers, technicians, researchers, founders and technology users. If we want more young people to understand the opportunities available to them, including opportunities here in Cornwall, industry needs to be visible while those young people are making decisions about their futures.
TechFirst gives us three years to make that connection much stronger.
Be part of TechFirst South West
We will be sharing opportunities for schools, colleges, employers and technology professionals as the programme develops.
If your organisation works in one of the TechFirst technology areas, or you have expertise that could help young people understand where technology is heading, we would like to hear from you.
You do not need an education programme or a ready made workshop. Bring us your industry knowledge. We can work out how best to turn it into something meaningful for young people.
Follow TechFirst South West on LinkedIn for programme updates and opportunities, and keep an eye on Tech Cornwall as we start bringing TechFirst into schools across Cornwall.
The technology might be about the future. The people who will build it are already in our classrooms.
