Cambridge Tech Week pays it forward with careers initiative

CTW's Tech Futures initiative is being significantly expanded this year to whet the appetites of students from sixth forms, skills bootcamps, colleges and universities.

This September's programme is designed to accommodate around 240 students – tripling its capacity and activities from 2024. Half the participants will access the wider Cambridge Tech Week agenda, while the other half will take part exclusively in the intensive three-day HackEd experience.

The programme will offer opportunities to attend conference sessions, engage in hands-on tech activities, explore Innovation Alley, connect with exhibitors, network with industry delegates and participate in a three-day hackathon, HackEd, delivered by TechEducators.

Tech Futures is a dedicated strand of Cambridge Tech Week designed to raise awareness among young people – especially those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds – about the broad range of careers available in the technology sector, including options they might not have considered to date.

“We want the next generation excited about the possibilities of working in tech,” said Michaela Eschbach, CEO of Cambridge Wireless which runs Cambridge Tech Week. “Working with Form the Future and TechEducators means we can bring young people to the event and offer them an incredible experience.”

Anne Bailey, CEO of Form the Future and the originator of Tech Futures in 2024, added: “Cambridge Tech Week offers young people a unique opportunity to engage with some of the brightest minds and most exciting innovations in the global tech space. We hope their experiences spark interest and drive them to explore tech careers further.”

James Adams, Founder and CEO of TechEducators, said: “We’re excited to bring HackEd to Cambridge Tech Week. It’s an immersive, high-impact experience, and participants will gain valuable skills and connections from the event.”

Schools, skills bootcamps, colleges, and universities within a 30-mile radius of Cambridge are encouraged to apply early to secure places. All enquiries should go to info@formthefuture.org.uk.

Organisers stress that the benefits of Tech Futures extend beyond student communities. They say that companies which engage with young talent through the programme can save significantly on recruitment costs, improve candidate retention and build a more diverse, motivated workforce.

Cambridge Tech Week takes place from September 15-19, 2025 at Cambridge Corn Exchange, Guildhall and St Catharine's College, with fringe events taking place across Cambridge and the wider East of England region. For more information visit https://cambridgetechweek.co.uk/