The Digital Skills Festival is poised to make its annual return to Manchester, aiming to connect the region’s best young digital talent with top tech employers.
This event seeks to address the growing skills shortage in the tech industry, providing a platform for students and professionals to engage and explore various career opportunities.
Digital Skills Festival Overview
The annual Digital Skills Festival is set to return to Manchester next month, aiming to bridge the gap in the North West’s digital workforce. This five-day event is renowned for connecting young digital talent with leading tech employers in the region.
Manchester Digital will host the festival, which is the UK’s largest digital skills careers fair. Anticipating a turnout of approximately 1,500 students from schools, colleges, and universities, the event will offer these students opportunities to interact with industry professionals and potential employers.
Event Schedule and Key Activities
Now in its seventh year, the festival will span from 4-8 February at various locations across Manchester. It will commence with a launch event at the MSP Tech Incubator, where findings from the 2019 Digital Skills Audit will be revealed.
Last year’s audit indicated that over a quarter of businesses (27%) faced challenges in securing suitable talent, forcing them to turn away work. The launch will also introduce the GM Digital Skills Programme and feature talks from several keynote speakers, including Josh Smith from DEMOS, discussing the future of education.
Talent Day Highlights
On Tuesday, 5 February, the festival’s flagship event, Talent Day, will take place at the Principal Hotel. This event will gather 40 of the North West’s top digital, tech, and creative employers, all in search of fresh talent.
Employers such as AutoTrader and BJSS will be present, offering advice to students on breaking into the industry. Throughout the day, numerous seminars and workshops will provide insights into various placement programmes and graduate initiatives.
Industry Insights and Opportunities
Katie Gallagher, Managing Director at Manchester Digital, highlighted the importance of the festival amidst a significant talent shortage in the sector. The region is grappling with a 30% vacancy rate in digital and tech roles.
She emphasised the need for the North West to not only discover new digital talent but also retain it. Gallagher stated, “This festival is crucial in showcasing the best career opportunities and demonstrating how diverse and fascinating a career in tech can be.”
Experience Days
Experience Days, scheduled for 7-8 February, allow young individuals to explore careers in tech and digital through practical activities such as coding, website building, hacking, and app development. Dozens of schools have registered to participate.
Gallagher noted the increasing number of startups and established companies relocating to Manchester, further enhancing career prospects in the region. Companies like Amazon and Moonpig are among those moving to the city, creating a multitude of opportunities for young talent.
Employer Perspectives
Sarah Brookes-Pearce, Future Talent Manager at AutoTrader, expressed her enthusiasm for Talent Day, calling it one of their favourite events. “We’ve hired great talent from students we’ve met on the day,” she mentioned.
Her sentiment echoes the broader industry’s recognition of the festival as a vital event for tapping into and nurturing the region’s digital talent pool. Brookes-Pearce is excited to participate again, highlighting the ongoing success of the festival in fulfilling its mission.
The Digital Skills Festival remains a pivotal event for the North West, acting as a bridge between young talent and the burgeoning tech industry.
The festival not only highlights the region’s potential but also plays a crucial role in ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet industry demands.