Hundreds of Lancashire pupils flock to inspirational careers festival

The fourth innovative 2024 TeenTech Lancashire Festival was a fascinating programme of virtual and face to face careers events, aimed at inspiring pupils to consider working in the science, technology and engineering sectors.

TeenTech, an award-winning charity aimed at helping students see the wide range of career possibilities within science, technology and engineering, organises events to help young people from 8 to 18 understand the opportunities in the science, technology and engineering industries, raise their aspirations and realise their potential.

Culminating with a Festival Day at the University of Central Lancashire’s Preston Campus, the event in June saw pupils trying their hands at building an exoskeleton, creating a fashion shoot, using nano technology and discussing how to communicate with AI as well as discovering digital theatre lighting and exploring cracking cyber codes.

The 2024 TeenTech Lancashire Festival was held in partnership with the Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership, part of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, the University of Central Lancashire and the Lancashire Careers Hub and sponsored by Future U, part of the Office for Students Uni Connect Programme which supports learners to progress onto Higher Education (HE), the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and technology companies Oracle and Softwire.

It saw no less than 21 schools taking part, with some including Blessed Trinity High School in Burnley reaching the TeenTech Awards national showcase in London. Meanwhile, a range of top employers attended the day, including the Royal Air Force, BAE Systems, Blackpool Grand Theatre, NHS England and the new National Cyber Force, to name but a few. 

County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:

“This year's activities with TeenTech have been bigger and better than ever.

"A virtual event in February allowed many young people to engage with national employers such as the BBC and Oracle to discuss cyber security around TV, Premiership football and Formula 1 as well as the Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust, which brought home, at local level, the impact of a cyber attack on the NHS.

"The Festival Day at the University of Central Lancashire took this to another level and it was brilliant to see the career opportunities available to young people in Lancashire."

Kerry Harrison, lead for the Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership, said:

“The Festival Day offered young people and their teachers inspiration and knowledge on new technology and careers available to people from all sorts of backgrounds or genders and here in Lancashire. 

"There were some truly memorable moments throughout the day including the enthusiastic participation of all our young people in all the various activities, the sheer delight of one individual as her innovative ideas took centre stage in the end celebration, and the valuable feedback from our employer partners who thoroughly enjoyed their in-depth conversations with our participants about technology, skills, and career paths.”

TeenTech CEO and co-founder Maggie Philbin OBE said:

“It’s so brilliant to see TeenTech Lancashire going from strength to strength, testament to the hard-working collaboration underpinning the programme.

"Our aim is to make sure young people in the region understand the wide range of digital and scientific careers right here in Lancashire and most importantly their own potential to enjoy working in those sectors.

"It was also exciting to see how impressed VIP visitors were with the high level of student engagement and the fresh creativity displayed by young people sharing their own ideas for the world they want to live in.” 

Dr Joanna Brown, who runs the University of Central Lancashire’s Young Scientist Centre, said:

“It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the young people on campus for this year’s TeenTech Festival.

"The businesses and University departments showcased such a diverse range of activities and potential career opportunities that are available to the young people.”

*If you are interested in learning more about career options in tech, science and cyber visit the Start Lancashire Platform or watch this short animation on digital and creative careers of the future.