Recently, students from a range of subjects including A-level Economics, Business and Geography, and T-levels in Digital, Management and Administration and Design, Surveying and Planning attended an insightful talk highlighting digital and cyber opportunities linked to the Golden Valley Development in Cheltenham.
Ben Edginton Thomas, who leads the Golden Valley Skills Hub, explained how the development, located opposite GCHQ, will help transform Cheltenham into a leading UK cyber and technology hub. Centred on a new National Cyber Innovation Centre, the project forms part of a wider government strategy to expand tech innovation nationwide. Over the next decade, it is expected to create 1.25 million square feet of commercial space, 2,500 homes, and around 12,000 jobs.
Ben emphasised the importance of building strong regional skills pathways, working with education providers to create routes into cyber and secure technology careers. He highlighted the sector’s growing relevance across areas such as national security, climate protection, and critical infrastructure, and stressed the need for greater diversity and community reinvestment as part of the project’s social mission.
Jake Richings from the Gloucestershire Careers Hub, outlined practical routes into the sector, including apprenticeships, T-levels, and specialist digital programmes, encouraging students from all subject areas to consider opportunities in frontier technology roles.
The students in attendance thoroughly enjoyed hearing from Ben and Jake and came away feeling inspired about the exciting progression routes available to them.
For more information on this story please contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
