Digital Skills Festival hosts top Manchester tech employers, including Auto Trader, Atkins Global, BAE Systems, Bentley and GlobalLogic
The North’s largest Digital Skills Festival brings together tech employers like Atkins Global, GlobalLogic, BAE Systems, Raytheon, Auto Trader UK, Bentley and Zühlke – all under one roof.
Up to 300 job openings will be offered on Flagship Talent Day (Wednesday, February 8), including roles in Software Engineering, Data, Cyber Security, UX, Design, Business Analyst, Project Management and many more.
Additionally, on conference day (Monday, February 6th) there will be a keynote presentation by Auto Trader on unlocking future careers; a session on Where is the North going in terms of technological development? a panel on tackling the skills gap caused by a cost of living crisis and a presentation by Tom Cheesewright on the future of work.
Paul Scully, MP and Secretary of State for Technology and Digital Economy, will participate in a roundtable discussion with tech industry leaders to discuss how government can continue to support and work with the tech industry across the North West.
The festival, organized by the non-profit independent trade organization Manchester Digital, will take place at various locations in Manchester from Monday 6th February to Friday 10th February.
Digital Economy Minister Paul Scully said: “The North West is one of the country’s leading technology hotspots, home to more than 4,000 innovative start-ups and counting. From investing in cyber skills to delivering new AI and data science scholarships, I look forward to discussing our plans to grow the tech talent pipeline with the region’s business leaders to engage the industry to help keep getting stronger.”
Katie Gallagher, MD at Manchester Digital said: “While our tech industry in the North West has weathered the Covid pandemic, 2022 has seen a huge rise in the cost of living as well as the ongoing skills shortages that have stunted productivity and growth in recent years.
“We are now anticipating a potential economic recession later in 2023, which of course worries many businesses across the region. Despite all of this, we are confident that the technology industry will continue to innovate and grow, and Manchester Digital will continue to support the industry with support, events and the development of young talent.”
Also on conference day will be the results of the 2023 Skills Audit, which provides a snapshot of the region’s tech economy during a cost-of-living crisis and economic recession. This policy-defining piece of in-depth research is based on data from the region’s technology and digital industries and is used by both central government departments and regional governments to help them understand the rapidly changing landscape.
The Digital Skills Festival also takes place during the National Apprenticeship Week, so there are events and online sessions designed to help both young people and career changers whether technical training is the right path for them.
Event sponsors include Auto Trader, Atkins, BAE Systems, Raytheon, GlobalLogic, Zühlke, Bentley, hackajob and Bruntwood Sci Tech. The strategic events partner is Manchester City Council and the education partners are the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University.
