Westminster Council teams up with tech titans to empower the city's youth

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The Houses of Parliament host the final of Digital Dash, a new programme to empower young individuals from North Paddington to enter the tech industry. The winners were announced against the majestic backdrop of the Palace of Westminster.

Representatives from major corporations, including Visa, Microsoft, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs and PA Media, gathered to applaud the contestants’ achievements. Over a twelve-week period, from September to December 2023, twenty young people from North Paddington worked alongside mentors from global tech companies to build digital products which addressed local neighbourhood challenges.

In collaboration with Bloomberg Associates, the pro-bono consulting arm of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Paddington Development Trust, Digital Dash paired talented youth from North Paddington with mentors from leading tech firms such as Visa, Finastra, Optum, and Cognizant, all of whom are (or were) based in Westminster’s Paddington Opportunity Area, a few paces from the world famous station.

North Paddington has one of London’s highest rates of youth unemployment and has become a focal point for the council's collaborative efforts to partner with large corporates. Digital Dash provided training opportunities for local talent, bridging the gap between education and work, helping young residents access opportunities presented by these global leading businesses on their doorstep.

The winners showcased their achievements in front of senior representatives from Visa, Goldman Sachs, PA Media, MP Karen Buck, and Cllr Geoff Barraclough (Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development). Cognizant’s team of motivated young Paddington people was victorious in this hard fought competition, with  focus on crime reporting on a shared platform.

Digital Dash is part of the Westminster Council’s wider 'North Paddington Programme,' a £20 million investment in employment and skills, well-being, crime reduction and public realm aimed at revitalising the wards of Harrow Road, Queen’s Park, and Westbourne located in the north of the city. 

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council, said:

“The Digital Dash demonstrates our ongoing commitment to developing the young talent in our city. By working together with private and charity sectors we’re bridging skills gaps in the tech sector and unlocking opportunities for our community. I’ve been blown away by the intelligence, enthusiasm, and maturity of the young people on this programme. Their work is putting Paddington on the map.”

“Optum is proud to support the Digital Dash program, mentoring young adults as they begin their careers in technology. Our Optum team were thrilled to support the local community, helping people to learn and develop their digital and technical skills, grow professional networks and build confidence.” - Suzy Foster, CEO, Optum UK

“Cognizant is working to ensure that the workforce of the future reflects society in all its diversity. We believe that acquiring tech skills can create social mobility and new career opportunities for those in need, a belief which fuels our volunteering initiative Outreach. It’s been great to see us come together with companies from across sectors and have our volunteers mentor the next generation of tech talent from within North Paddington who have shown lots of creativity and innovation throughout the program.” - Rohit Gupta, Managing Director UK&I at Cognizant

“It is a pleasure for Finastra to be part of this initiative to help young people tap into the digital skills they will need for the future of work. The competition aligns closely with our ESG commitments to social mobility, supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and championing financial literacy. As a leading financial technology company we are well placed to share our expertise and encourage the next generation of tech talent. I’m very proud that our Finastra mentors have used their volunteering hours on such an impactful project that has the power to transform our local community and people’s lives; and reflects our ‘doing well by doing good’ mantra.” - Simon Paris, CEO, Finastra

“We are honoured to have helped lead the design and delivery of the first Digital Dash in North Paddington. The tech sector offers high quality employment opportunities, and the competition has provided twenty young people with a platform to demonstrate their skills and a glimpse of what this career path involves. The dedication and time that the company mentors invested in the programme indicate their shared aspiration to support and invest in local residents. The young people's zeal, originality, and consideration reveal the remarkable talent pool in North Paddington."  – Gordon Innes, Economic Development Lead, Bloomberg Associates

 "We're proud to partner with Westminster City Council on the Digital Dash programme. This programme is not just about technology; it's about providing opportunities, empowerment, and shaping the future. Through this initiative, we're equipping young Westminster residents with the skills and experience they need to thrive in the dynamic tech industry." - Mustapha Mroueih Senior Finance Director, Visa. 

‘’ Initiatives like Digital Dash can revolutionise local communities. Engaging large corporate players and matching them with a local talent base is a win-win outcome. Paddington Development Trust have played a central role in the area for the last 25 years supporting people with employment opportunities amongst many other community-driven activities. Our experience shows that giving young people career tasters can and will have transformation impact on their long-term employment outcomes. We look forward to scaling this pilot with our incredible partners.’’ - Neil Johnston, CEO, Paddington Development Trust

"I’ve enjoyed getting to know my team and mentors and have developed a range of skills during the course from how to think about designing a product to working in a team and public speaking. The highlights for me have been visiting the offices of the different supporting companies and learning about the way people work." - Nathan Fairclough (participant)

"Visa’s mentoring approach allowed me to apply the business management principles that I study in University; in real life, which has ultimately enhanced and strengthened my leadership skills." - Tiye Sako (participant)