Young people in Northern Ireland are really interested in tech careers, with 77% showing a desire to work in the field. Samsung’s report suggests Northern Ireland could become the UK’s ‘Silicon Valley,’ due to this rise in tech interest and new developments.
This focus on technology among Northern Ireland’s youth is impacting the local economy, with tech careers seen as a path for positive contributions to society. National attention is turning toward Northern Ireland’s ambitions, with some saying it may emerge as a leading area for technological growth within the UK.
With this, Northern Ireland is starting to attract investment and support, even being referred to as the UK’s very own Silicon Valley. With companies and organisations interested in local talent, Northern Ireland’s tech sector shows strong signs of future growth.
Where Are The Other Tech Hubs In The UK?
Alongside Northern Ireland, other UK regions are also developing tech communities. London is still considered as one of the UK’s tech hub due to the activity and amount of startups and investors still in the capital. Other regions, such as the West Midlands, North-East, East of England, and East Midlands, also seem keen on tech.
Tech Interest by Region (% of Young People Interested in a Tech Career)
This is a full overview of the top cities and how many enthusiasts are looking at tech:
- Northern Ireland – 77%
- London – 69%
- West Midlands – 63%
- North East – 63%
- East of England – 62%
- East Midlands – 61%
- North West – 58%
- Yorkshire – 57%
- South East – 55%
- Scotland – 54%
- Wales – 51%
- South West – 50%
Interest in tech careers across these regions just goes to show how technology is influencing young people’s ambitions in the UK. Many see technology as a tool to solve real-world issues, creating a tech scene that spans the entire country, rather than being confined to the capital city.
What Motivates Young People To Work In Tech?
Young people across the UK see technology as a path to make a positive impact in society. 48% feel confident they could invent or create products that improve lives, and 85% view tech careers as a way to make meaningful contributions.
Top 3 Tech Areas of Interest
According to the survey, these are the most popular tech areas of interest…
- At the top is App Development, at 41%
- Next, Cybersecurity at 35%
- AI for Social Good at 31%
The opportunity to work in fields that improve society is definitely a change in career goals for many young people. Rather than traditional career paths, many are interested in roles in AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare tech. These fields allow them to focus on critical needs, creating a sense of purpose and impact.
This drive to create positive change through tech has an impact on the kinds of projects young people pursue. They focus on building solutions that resonate with communities and solving pressing problems.
What Barriers Are Young People Facing In Entering The Tech Industry?
While interest in tech is high, young people face a few barriers when trying to break into the industry. In fact, 96% of those surveyed report facing obstacles, and 65% believe their background impacts their ability to pursue careers in tech. The most common barriers are limited access to education, affecting 40%, lack of practical experience, impacting 36%, and a shortage of industry contacts, affecting 31%.
These speed humps can make tech careers feel out of reach for those who don’t have established support networks. Without mentors or connections in the field, many young people feel they lack the resources needed to succeed. This sense of inaccessibility affects their confidence and willingness to pursue tech, even though they may have the innovative thinking, skills and ideas to make a strong contribution.
How Is Samsung Supporting Young Innovators?
Luckily, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow programme was founded to help these young tech enthusiasts. The programme is for 16-25 year olds across the UK to create tech solutions for social issues. Through workshops, mentoring, funding, and other support, the programme helps young people turn their ideas into real projects.
There are incentives for the best projects. The winning teams stand to win £10,000 in funding along with 3 months of expert mentoring. This gives participants a helping hand to develop their tech skills and confidence.
Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of CSR at Samsung Electronics UK, said, “We’re beyond excited to kick-off our fifth year of Solve for Tomorrow. Innovation is for everyone and no young person should ever feel discouraged to pursue a good idea.
“This is why we’re proud to be working with our partners Social Mobility Foundation and InnovateHer again this year. Our research shows the UK is full of young people with confidence and potential, but they still feel like they don’t have the support they need to make a difference through tech. That’s what the Solve for Tomorrow programme aims to address.”
Also, through doing this, the young future tech leaders gain the experience they need to succeed in the industry. Through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung is working to create an environment where young people can bring their visions to life and contribute to positive changes in their communities.