Students step into the world of cyber at third annual Lancashire Cyber Education Week
Lancashire Cyber Partnership introduces cyber career opportunities to thousands of young people from across the county
More than 10,000 young people across Lancashire took part in hands‑on cyber and digital activities during the Lancashire Cyber Partnership’s third annual Cyber Education Week.
Over 100 schools and colleges joined events hosted by education partners across the county. Students took part in cyber‑themed quizzes, code‑breaking tasks, cybercrime‑prevention workshops, and virtual escape room challenges, all aimed at showcasing the breadth of Lancashire’s fast‑growing cyber ecosystem.
As part of the week, BAE Systems ran STEM workshops with a focus on digital and cyber skills for over 150 primary school pupils across Lancashire.
College students also visited Lancaster University, the University of Lancashire, and Edge Hill University, where they explored routes into cyber and met with experts working in the sector. Colleges across the county also welcomed local high school students to help inspire the next generation of digital talent.
Cardinal Newman College student Rooney Muyah played the part of an open-source intelligence investigator in a mock missing persons investigation. He said: “It’s made me realise how easy it is to track people down on the internet and the importance of not sharing too much personal information online. I’m considering studying cyber security at university so to take part in a hands-on exercise like this has been very beneficial.”
Other events through the week included MEGA’s Greentech Games, delivered by IN4 Group at Brockholes Nature Reserve, with 280 Year 8 girls engaging in sustainability‑focused technology challenges, and a TeenTech virtual session exploring innovation, AI and cyber security.
A spokesperson for the Lancashire Cyber Partnership said:
“Education Week plays an important role in the Lancashire Cyber Partnership’s long-term goal of creating a talent pipeline for the many cyber focussed roles UK businesses will require in the future.
We are proud that many schools, colleges, and universities in the county actively took part in the week. Unlocking the next generation’s ability to take advantage of cyber and tech-based jobs in Lancashire is imperative. Ensuring those at school, college and university in Lancashire are work ready for exciting roles in tech and cyber is a strategic objective of the Lancashire Cyber Partnership.”
Ahead of Education Week, 40 teachers and careers advisers attended a National Cyber Force‑led Teachers Encounter event, gaining insights into cyber opportunities and how they can shape future learning and guidance for students.
The week concluded with a family day at Blackburn College, which saw more than 1,100 members of the community take part in activities including an employer panel, industry-delivered experiences, and hands‑on robotic an coding challenges.
Lancashire Cyber Education Week was organised by the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub on behalf of the LCP and forms part of wider activity to shape, support, and promote the county’s world class cyber strengths and fast-growing cyber ecosystem.
The LCP was launched in 2023 and is made up of Lancashire County Council (LCC); the University of Lancashire; Lancaster University; BAE Systems; and the National Cyber Force (NCF).
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the Lancashire Cyber Partnership
Photo captions:
- Photo 1 (main) - Primary School students take part in a STEM workshop at BAE Systems.
- Photo 2 - Rooney Muyah from Cardinal Newman College responds to a mock, evolving missing persons situation.
- Photo 3 - High School students take part in the sustainability-focussed Greentech Games.
Photo 4 - College students visit the University of Lancashire's Burnley Campus.
Notes to editors
About the Lancashire Cyber Partnership
- The Lancashire Cyber Partnership (LCP) is a strategic collaboration between Lancashire County Council (LCC), the University of Lancashire, Lancaster University, BAE Systems, and the National Cyber Force (NCF).
- It brings together expertise, resources, and key influencers from across both the private and public sectors to ensure Lancashire maximises the opportunities set be offered by cyber as a fast-growing, globally significant, and multi-faceted, domain.
- The LCP’s vision for Lancashire – and the wider North West Cyber Corridor it anchors – is to be one of the world’s leading destinations for cyber businesses, support agencies, careers, training and research.
About The LCP Members
BAE Systems
- BAE Systems employs around 12,000 people at its Warton and Samlesbury sites.
- The Company’s Air sector workforce in Lancashire provides vital frontline combat air capabilities to UK and international customers, making an important contribution to safeguarding national defence and security.
- Through its Digital Intelligence business , BAE Systems have also developed leading-edge and proprietary digital defence solutions, and enterprise-level cyber security provision.
- More information at www.baesystems.com
Lancashire County Council (LCC)
- Lancashire County Council is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Lancashire, helping to narrow the gaps that exist between different parts of Lancashire’s communities, and improving the quality of life of those who have less advantages, or are in danger of poor outcomes.
- It will also help to ensure that the social and economic priorities of Lancashire’s local authorities, and the communities they serve, are represented via the Lancashire Cyber Partnership.
- This will include embedding the inclusive growth principles of the Lancashire 2050 strategy, which is supported by all Lancashire’s 15 county, unitary and district councils, into the LCP’s work.
- More information at www.lancashire.gov.uk
Lancaster University
- Within the discipline of cyber and cyber security, Lancaster is one of the UK’s most accredited and respected higher education institutions with regards to both teaching and research.
- It is home to the Cyber Security Research Centre, The Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST), and the Data Science Institute. It has further helped to develop the DiSH digital security hub in Manchester, is the lead university for the new North West CyberCom knowledge exchange programme and is a member of GCHQ’s North West Security & Trust Partnership.
- It has developed a new Data Cyber Quarter, providing cutting-edge cyber technology facilities for academics and business, and has committed a further £19m investment in Security and Protection Science.
- One of only 12 Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACEs-CSE) in the UK accredited by National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Lancaster offers an extensive range of graduate and postgraduate cyber courses, including UK’s first NCSC-accredited Cyber Security Executive MBA
- More information at www.lancaster.ac.uk/cybersecurity
The National Cyber Force (NCF)
- Established in 2020, the NCF is a partnership between defence and intelligence comprising GCHQ, the Ministry of Defence, SIS, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
- It carries out cyber operations to counter and contest those who would do harm to the UK or its allies, to keep the country safe, and to protect and promote the UK’s interests at home and abroad.
- The NCF are on track to establish their HQ in Samlesbury, Lancashire. This move will help to grow technology, digital and defence sectors, as well as encouraging partnerships between government, industry, and universities in the region
- More information at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-cyber-force.
The University of Lancashire
- The University of Lancashire is one of the UK’s leading modern universities, located in Preston, Lancashire, with additional UK campuses in Burnley and Westlakes. Established in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, the University has grown into a vibrant, international institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and impactful research.
- The University plays a vital role in the regional economy, contributing over £300 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Lancashire annually. It is actively supporting the advancement of Lancashire’s priority growth sectors, including Cyber and Digital Security, Health and Health Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing.
- Home to a diverse staff and student community of around 32,000 people, including 1,600 degree apprentices, the University offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes across multiple disciplines. Nearly 40% of its graduates go on to live and work in Lancashire, demonstrating the University’s strong commitment to the region’s social and economic development.
- The University is proud to be a leader in widening access to higher education for people from underrepresented groups, helping to create opportunities and transform lives. It is known for its emphasis on real-world learning, industry engagement, and career development, supported by world-class facilities and a global network of academic and business partnerships.
- The University’s research is recognised for its real-world relevance and global impact, particularly in areas such as health, digital technology, sustainability, and social policy.
- For more information, visit the website.