THE Treasury has welcomed a £1.4million investment by Newcastle fintech giant Sage in a three-year programme which will transform 90,000 young lives in the North East.

Sage’s partnerships with Newcastle United Foundation and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will make Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers a new reality for schoolchildren, teenagers, and young adults through inspiring learning experiences. 

A third partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Data based at Newcastle University will provide Computer Science students with opportunities to solve real-world problems with a focus on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.

Simon Clarke MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said: “This transformational investment in the North East will help 90,000 young people get the skills they need to pursue successful digital careers. We know that jobs based on digital skills boost pay by an average of £8,000 a year.

The Northern Echo: Simon Clarke MPSimon Clarke MP

Read more: 'Local workers first' as new Sage centre promises 2,000 jobs

“Providing people with a better chance at getting those jobs is how we build a high skill, high productivity economy.”

The partnership will pair undergraduate and post graduate students with Sage’s engineering and AI experts, offering them valuable career insights and learning experiences, as well as exposing them to career opportunities to retain their skills in the North East.
As of February 2021, the North East technology sector was the biggest hiring sector in the region with a healthy pipeline of start-ups and fast-growing tech businesses. However, according to the Industrial Strategy Council, the UK’s supply of skills, particularly technology and people skills, will struggle to keep up with increased demand over the next decade .

Sage’s skills-based learning partnerships with the Newcastle United Foundation and the IET will address the tech skills shortage by supporting disadvantaged young people and those who are not in education employment or training (NEETs). The learning programmes will provide simulated experiences of jobs and careers, and interactive STEM learning via the FIRST LEGO League,  a global robotics competition, to train the next generation of regional workers, innovators, and business leaders.
Founded 40 years ago by graduates from Newcastle University, Sage has grown to become one of the UK’s biggest tech companies, with operations and customers around the world. 

Paul Struthers, MD, UKI, Sage: “‘Whether you want to start your own business or play a role in one, digital skills are essential to business success. Sage is committed to knocking down barriers by addressing the digital skills gap to empower people to join and build the businesses of the future.
“We want to inspire and support more young people to develop STEM skills, and together with our partners we will help tackle this challenge; unlocking the extraordinary potential of the region and ensuring we have a strong pipeline of regional talent.”

Sarah Medcalf, Deputy Head of Newcastle United Foundation said: “Together, we will introduce young people to career possibilities in the technology sector, through mentoring, personal development and innovative virtual reality scenarios in a growing number of STEM roles available across the region.”

David Lakin, Head of Education, Safeguarding and Education Policy at the IET added: “Thanks to Sage’s generous support, the IET is able to inspire and inform more young people as part of our mission and raise awareness of STEM careers.”

 

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