School pupils set for AI and digital skills hubs

Secondary school pupils in Lancashire are set to experience future technologies like AI and virtual reality.

Lancashire MEGA Hubs is a new scheme aimed at enhancing digital skills and career opportunities for youngsters, the county council said.

Pupils in all of the county's secondary schools will be able to work with coding, cyber security and machine learning, with extra-curricular days and an out-of-school Cyber and Esports Academy.

Council leader Phillippa Williamson said she was "incredibly excited" by the project which "aligns perfectly" with the authority's goals to meet growing demand from employers for digital, cyber and tech skills.

Digital skills will also be brought into traditional subjects as part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme, thanks to £550,000 of funding from the Lancashire Economic Growth & Development Investment Fund (LEGDIF) .

It will be available to all secondary schools across Lancashire until the end of the 2026 academic year.

Williamson said the Lancashire MEGA Hubs scheme would bring "opportunities to our young people".

She said the council, which has partnered with technology firm, IN4 Group, wanted to create a skilled and inclusive workforce.

She added: "We are confident we can inspire the next generation of digital professionals and ensure Lancashire remains at the forefront of technological innovation."

Mo Isap, chief executive of IN4 Group, said: "We're passionate about empowering young people to achieve their potential, regardless of their socioeconomic or disadvantaged background.

"The MEGA Hubs will enable tech first experiences and opportunities encompassing all emerging technologies, helping bridge the digital skills gap and creating a diverse and dynamic workforce for the future."

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