QA and BAE AI Systems partner with the National Cyber Security Centre to deliver CyberFirst’s 1-day Adventurers event for young people

Leading training and education provider, QA, partnered with BAE Systems to deliver the latest UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) CyberFirst event, focussing on giving young people an introduction into the use of technology in the workplace.

The 1-Day Adventurers event was hosted at the brand new state-of-the-art Cyber Hub at Beaufort Co-operative Academy in Gloucester, only opened this month, and saw 50 11-14 year-olds take part. The NCSC is the UK's Government’s authority on cyber security. Launched in 2016, its CyberFirst initiative is a partnership with industry, schools and higher-education providers, aimed at creating inspirational learning environments that will engage the next generation of students to study cyber subjects from GCSE to degree level. The day was opened with an address by James Willingham – Head of Future Talent of event sponsors, BAE Systems, who spoke on the importance of investing in a workforce with digital security and computer science skills. The event saw the students working with the technology at computer workstations in sessions delivered by QA instructors. These included; Digital Detective, The Data Games, Go Create and Crack the Code. The sessions were designed to educate and challenge students in an engaging manner to inspire them into a career in cutting edge cyber technology.

Lisa Harrington, Managing Director QA Learning, said:

“The future is cyber and the future is global. In order to compete with the technological skills emerging from the likes of Asia and India, the post-Brexit UK needs to redouble its investment in developing a world-class, domestic cyber skills market. QA is proud to be at the vanguard of this provision with the NCSC, in partnership with great British companies like BAE Systems. CyberFirst is an incredible, dynamic programme that really captures the imagination and harnesses the creativity of the best and brightest young minds to inspire them into a career in cyber technology.”

James Willingham – Head of Future Talent, said:

Our connected world is evolving every day; by 2020 there will be over a trillion connected devices on the planet. Making all that technology work takes true skill. With both the volume of devices and speed of progression increasing all the time, we need people with the skills to move at the same pace.

By 2022 there will be a shortage of over 1.5 million people with the right skills. We need to tackle this today for tomorrow’s future. Hosting events like this help us secure the future by encouraging our young to take up a future in Cyber and software skills. We are so proud of our partnership with CyberFirst in promoting the many career opportunities there are our industry and our business to help us protect and enhance our connected world every day.

 

Notes to Editors

CyberFirst is a pivotal part of the UK government’s National Cyber Security Programme. It covers a broad range of activities; a comprehensive bursary scheme, a girls-only competition and development courses at UK universities and colleges. Each activity is designed to give talented young people the support, skills, experience and exposure they need to become cyberists of the future.

QA is the UK’s leading IT and business skills provider, specialising in training, consultancy, apprenticeships and post graduate degrees on a range of technical and leadership subjects.  With 22 UK-wide training centres – from state-of-the-art Apprenticeships and Consulting Academies, to University campuses and flexible online learning provision, QA offers an unparalleled portfolio of learning solutions to both private and public sector organisations.

BAE Systems – Applied Intelligence

We’ve use our intelligence-led insights for decades to help defend Governments, Nations and societies from cyber-attacks and financial crime. Our customers depend on our evolving capabilities to help them safely grown their organisations. Our unprecedented access to threat intelligence, world-leading analysts and market-leading technology means we can help them to adapt, evolve and stay ahead of the criminals.

We solve complex data problems using our unique set of solutions, systems, experience and processes by analysing huge volumes of data. We defend our customers against cyber attacks, detect fraud, comply with laws and regulations, and conduct intelligence-led policing.

For more information on future CyberFirst programmes email cyberfirst@qa.com