Tata Consultancy Services has today launched its Digital Explorers programme in Scotland, as part of a nationwide company initiative to encourage STEM skills in young people.
Over 175 students from Scottish schools were met by executives from Tata Consultancy Services Scotland at the launch – part of a wider programme, ITFutures, designed to encourage young people to pursue careers in technology.
The first of its kind in Scotland, Digital Explorers – Experience Work, saw students from across schools in Edinburgh, Mid-Lothian, and East-Lothian spend a day in Edinburgh’s Royal College of Surgeons experiencing what it is like to work in the technology sector through a range of workshops and interactive sessions with engineers, industry professionals and TCS executives.
Gopalan Rajagopalan, Head, TCS Scotland, said, “Our aim is to motivate young people in Scotland about the exciting possibilities open to them by pursuing a career in STEM. Across the UK as a whole, there is an estimated shortfall of 40,000 graduates in STEM subjects, a problem we are seeking to transform by showing them technology is a hugely rewarding sector and an important part of Scotland’s future.”
“Through Digital Explorers, we have created a programme of breakout sessions, workshops, debates, and deep dive discussions to engage with these young people. We want to give students the chance to learn about the skills, both creative and technical, that go into developing digital content; the impact technology has on our daily lives; and the opportunities for them in pursuing a STEM career.”
Led in collaboration with the Engineering Development Trust and supported by Developing the Young Workforce, Digital Explorers aims to inspire young people to pursue a career in technology and show the broad range of pathways this can provide. It’s through collaborations of industry, academia and government that we will see the greatest changes in this space.
Commenting on the event, the Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, said, “It is fantastic so many young people were involved in the TCS Digital Explorers initiative, giving them the chance to use their creativity and imagination while learning important new skills.”
“These are exactly the types of projects that can encourage and inspire young people to take an interest in STEM subjects like science and engineering and that can help us ensure our future workforce is well-equipped and supported to make the most of the fast-paced technological changes around us. Through our STEM strategy we want more schools and colleges to work together to bring such challenges to young people.”
Helen Anderson, Director of the Engineering Development Trust Scotland, said, “EDT is delighted to be working in partnership with TCS and Edinburgh DYW to inspire and motivate young people into a career in the tech industry. The digital sector in Scotland represents an area of huge growth and we hope to encourage students from across Edinburgh and East & Mid Lothian to explore a career in the tech sector.”
Since 2013, TCS has engaged with over 200,000 young people in 600 schools across the UK with IT challenges, coding and application design competitions and classroom teaching.
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