Industry helps young people forge digital careers

Students at 10 schools across East Sussex will take part in a digital mentoring scheme

Young people in East Sussex who are aiming for careers in the digital sector are to be given the opportunity to receive training by industry professionals.

Year 10 students at 10 schools will be set six-month projects, with mentors to guide them.

Five schools, in Peacehaven, Robertsbridge, Uckfield and two in St Leonards, have already been signed up.

The Digital Futures Accelerator (DFA) programme in the county has been awarded £125,000 from the Careers and Enterprise Company, the body which delivers training across England.

TechNative Digital will run assemblies, with pupils who are interested in pursuing careers taking part in a six-month project to create a digital product.

The finished designs will be judged in June 2025.

The funding is being administered by Skills East Sussex, the East Sussex Careers Hub and TechNative Digital, with support from East Sussex County Council.

Penny di Cara, lead member for economy at the authority, said: “The digital and tech sector is one that continues to grow, and this initiative will help our young people find out more about the career and training opportunities available to them in this exciting industry.

“And who knows, the products developed by the students might just include the next big digital innovation.”

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