Today marks the launch of the TechFirst Women’s Programme – a new government-funded initiative to help more women access careers in high-growth technology sectors. And applications are open! https://www.techfirstwomen.com/
Led by Plexal on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK-wide TechFirst Women’s Programme is launching today to support 300 women move into paid jobs in artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, engineering biology, quantum technologies, semiconductors and advanced communications.
In doing so, the programme is giving employers access to a wider pool of skilled talent and a package of tailored support. It’s part of the government’s broader TechFirst campaign – a £187m investment in national skills.
In a bid to redress the balance, whereby women account for only 21% of the UK technology workforce1, the government-backed initiative aims to help women move into paid jobs in AI, cyber security, engineering biology, quantum technologies, semiconductors and advanced communications by March 2027. This is crucial for the effective adoption of technology, which is the priority growth enabler for the UK.
The initiative launches on Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and during Women in Tech Week (12th – 16th October). It’s designed for women at different stages of their working lives, including those starting out, changing career or returning to work after a career break. The target is for 80% of candidates to be mid-career with 20% at early stage.
Candidates will receive skills development, mentoring and career support before being matched with live vacancies for paid jobs, normally lasting at least six months. Once in post, they will continue to receive technical training and in-work support through the programme delivery partners, including business and innovation communities, training specialists, recruiters and universities.
Employers, many of whom are time and resource-poor and unsure of how to evaluate candidates from non-tech backgrounds, will be given access to talent through free candidate sourcing and matching. They can also access free technical and non-technical training, plus support with onboarding and continued professional development through programme partners.
In return, every participating employer will be expected to provide paid job opportunities, aligned to the programme’s objectives and technology sectors, for a minimum of six months for at least 25-hours per week, with roles in-person, hybrid or remote. The target is for 80% of roles to be with SMEs and 20% with larger employers.
Lisa Perkins, Chief People Officer at Plexal, said: “The UK has a huge opportunity to lead the next wave of technological innovation, including the burgeoning AI industry, but only if we tap into the wide breadth of talent available to us. Sadly, we’re not doing this.
“I’ve had a 27-year career in technology, designing and delivering cutting-edge tech and was very much in the minority throughout. I’ve seen the landscape shift, but it still needs acute attention to make further progress.
“Women are under-represented across the industry and it’s costing us dearly, challenging our growth and competitiveness. Levelling up the playing field is not simply about fairness – it’s an economic necessity. Moreover, technology design and adoption benefits from the inclusion of diverse perspectives and inputs.
“This new initiative aims to put this right. It’s not another ‘training programme’ but a holistic approach that enables women to thrive in technology careers while supporting employers to access the talent they’re missing out on. In turn, we’re enabling the UK to accelerate adoption of strategic technologies and that’s how we drive economic growth and resilience nationwide.”
The Digital and Technology sector is essential to the UK economy, contributing £158 billion in gross value added (GVA), equivalent to around 6% of overall UK GVA in 2024, employing 1.33 million people.2 Meanwhile, AI alone contributed £11.8 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 20243.
However, women are not equally represented, making up just 21% of the tech sector as a whole in 20244, 20% in AI5 in 2025 and just 16%6 in cyber security, despite comprising 48% of the UK workforce.
London-based Obiageli (Obii) Okafor, 29, is a senior product manager at cloud communications company, 8×8, and a 2025 TechWomen100 winner. She struggled to get a job in tech, despite being eager to break into the sector. She said: “When I moved here, it was really difficult for me to land a role in tech. I didn’t have access to opportunities, the right network or any real guidance. It was hugely difficult.
“I was looking for jobs, any and everywhere. I ended up doing odd jobs just to survive from filling shelves in supermarkets to being a customer service support. After months of trying, I finally landed a product intern role. Had there been a programme like TechFirst Women’s Programme when I was starting out, it would have made all the difference.
“Women need to see other women in these roles to know that a career in technology is achievable. TechFirst Women’s Programme will increase that representation and make it possible. It will encourage women to see that there are so many opportunities in tech – it really is limitless.”
Digital Inclusion Minister, Vicky Foxcroft, said: “This is exactly the kind of practical, targeted support TechFirst was designed to deliver, helping women move into some of the fastest-growing and most in-demand careers in the country. By connecting talented women with employers who need their skills, we’re not just opening doors for individuals, we’re strengthening the UK’s technology sector for the long term.
“Every woman should be able to see a future in AI, cyber security and the technologies shaping tomorrow.”
The programme is led and delivered by Plexal, with core delivery partners including WeAreTechWomen, CAPSLOCK, Sanderson and Beta Technology.
For more information, visit: https://www.techfirstwomen.com/
About Plexal
Plexal turns innovation into positive impact for society.
Its unique position across government, industry, startups, academia and investors enables it to bring together organisations that often work separately but need to act collectively. It aligns them around shared missions that turn ideas into real outcomes making the UK safer, more resilient and prosperous.
Founded in 2017 by clients of Delancey, a specialist real estate investment advisory company, Plexal started as part of the 2012 Olympic Games regeneration. Today it’s an innovation partner to government and industry with teams in London, Cheltenham and Manchester. It helps organisations to anticipate and understand opportunities ahead, accelerate technology adoption, strengthen the UK’s ability to solve complex challenges and ensures local and regional economies prosper.
Since 2017, Plexal’s delivered more than 90 innovation programmes, supported over 1,650 companies and returned £14.21 to the economy for every £1 of government money spent. As a holder of the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award, Plexal is proud to support and employ veterans, reservists, and military families.
About our partners
Delivery partners
Core partners include:
- CAPSLOCK, which leads technical training and career transition support
- Sanderson, which leads candidate recruitment, assessment and role matching
- Beta Technology, which leads employer outreach and the vacancy pipeline
- WeAreTechWomen, which leads engagement with women, community outreach and events
Sector-specific training partners are:
- Semi-conductors – Cardiff University
- Cyber security – Royal Holloway, University of London and Manchester Metropolitan University;
- AI – Barnsley College
- Engineering Biology – University of Nottingham
- Quantum Technologies – Lancaster University
- Advanced Communications – University of Bristol.
Regional partners are:
- Tech SY (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority)
- CyNam
- Northern Reach / Cybec
- CW Connected
- Women in Tech North East
- Manchester Metropolitan University.
Further information
- Women in Tech Week: Women in Tech Week is a growing national movement, bringing together employers, government, communities, educators and women across the UK around a shared ambition to support women to enter, stay, progress and lead in technology. https://women-in-tech-week.com/
- Ada Lovelace Day (13 October): Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM. https://findingada.com/
