TeenTech is coming to Warwickshire and the West Midlands

Warwickshire County Council works constantly with businesses and education-providers to ensure a flow of trained, motivated young people into the region's workforce. From 2019, it will have another ally in that mission - TeenTech.

For ten years, Teentech has run initiatives across the UK to help young people understand the opportunities offered by industry today - and equip them with the skills they need to take them. Former Tomorrow's World presenter Maggie Philbin OBE, co-founder of TeenTech, explains.

Hello everyone. I am delighted to have the opportunity, through Warwickshire Means Business, to introduce TeenTech, explain what we do and outline what we are very much looking forward to bringing to Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

I know that Warwickshire County Council's Economy & Skills team, along with partner organisations, already does loads of great work to tackle the Skills Gap which affects so many businesses in the tech-sector. Helping them to bridge that gap is what TeenTech is all about.

Since its formation in 2008, TeenTech has achieved great results in various parts of the country and now we are keen to work collaboratively with companies across Warwickshire and the West Midlands. With your help and support we will build a programme of activity which enhances opportunities for young people across the region.

The programme will be organised in partnership with local authorities and schools, as well as industry. It will consist of a series of carefully-planned initiatives to help young people (aged eight to 19) understand the opportunities available to them and, most importantly, highlight their own potential to participate. 

It will then culminate in an annual festival day which will showcase students’ work and the exciting businesses and opportunities available. TeenTech is not about suggesting a quick fix then moving on - it is about creating long-lasting benefits. We work carefully and respectfully across the region and are not here to compete with other organisations. When it comes to skills support we are all pulling in the same direction, so we will be pleased to promote and support existing activity and invite providers to participate in the festival to signpost their own opportunities. 

Working face-to-face with over 10,000 young people, and indirectly with tens of thousands more, every year we measure impact and, from this, we know our initiatives are particularly powerful in encouraging girls and students from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider careers in technology, engineering, construction and the applied sciences.

We provide these students and schools with a framework of activity and a network of useful contacts and opportunities helping them develop ‘STEM capital.’ TeenTech will provide support for organisations who may never have worked with young people before. 

Our aim is to provide a powerful network for schools and young people and increase their awareness of the needs of a fast-changing world of employment. So please do get involved.

Businesses of all sizes are welcome - whether you wish to act as an event sponsor, join the steering group for the region or provide industry volunteers/mentors or run activities on the festival day. We look forward to working with you as we build our programme for Warwickshire and the West Midlands over the coming months.

If you would like any more information, or would like to get involved, please do get in touch at maggie@teentechevent.com.

To find out more about TeenTech, please visit www.teentech.com.

Thank you.

Maggie