Google has partnered with Creative Equals, introducing a new scholarship programme looking to empower under-represented and marginalised individuals in the UK to both promote diversity in the workforce and address the growing skills gap. 

According to Ali Hanan, founder and CEO of Creative Equals, only a quarter of UK tech workers belong to an ethnic minority group, a number that drops to 13% when looking at representation in senior-level roles. 

“Marginalised and vulnerable communities are grossly underrepresented in the tech industry,” said Hanan. “We must ensure people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to the tech economy.”

When considering socioeconomic backgrounds, the Sutton Trust suggests the biggest barrier to entering tech from disadvantaged backgrounds is not knowing the right people, but rather knowing how the sector works and being aware of the breadth of tech roles available.

That study found that almost nine out of ten tech workers had completed a degree, and over one third had done their secondary studies outside of the UK, offering them a more dynamic view of the opportunities available in the tech sphere.  

This barrier to entry in tech is to be addressed by Creative Equals and Google. Together, they have opened 15 fully-funded scholarships with mentor support in eight key areas: UX Design, Digital Marketing and E-commerce, Project Management, Data Analytics, Advanced Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, IT Support, and Cybersecurity.

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The six-month virtual training programmes do not require experience in the field or a degree. They also give the participants personalised support and mentorship from Creative Equals and Google experts. 

This training will diversify the workforce, while at the same time, address the pervasive skills gap in the sector. A report by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) found that half of businesses in the UK have a cybersecurity skills gap. By their estimates, an additional 11,200 people with suitable cyber skills are needed to meet the demands of the market. 

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Google to give individuals the opportunity to upskill, re-skill, explore other industries and, if they choose to, pivot their careers. Digital skills are crucial to building the workforce of tomorrow and it’s essential we help to upskill UK talent,” said Hanan.