Digital Edge
Four-week pre-apprenticeship training programme to support young people from underserved communities supports them to access a digital apprenticeship with a local employer within Microsoft’s network of customers and partners.
Young people aged 18 to 25 | London and Manchester
The pilot project sees Catch22 find and recruit candidates aged 18 to 25 years old with a range of challenges – from gender and ethnicity barriers, homelessness, mental health issues, school exclusion and disability – and supports them to access a digital apprenticeship with a local employer within Microsoft’s network of customers and partners.
Digital Edge aims to understand what can help broaden the opportunity of an apprenticeship to those who currently face barriers to access the programme and also what support employers looking to diversify their workforce might need. These learnings will then inform how providers recruit young people across the country.
By the end of the four-week Digital Edge programme, participants should have:
- An understanding of digital apprenticeships
- Insight into the digital and technology sector
- Awareness of key employability skills
- Knowledge of how to complete an effective CV, cover letter and job application
- Developed their interview skills and techniques
- The ability to set future career goals
Relevant resources
Catch22 Blog: Microsoft and Catch22 have joined forces to help people facing barriers to work embark on digital apprenticeships.
Employability Support Booklet : Breaking down barriers, developing diverse workforces.
Learn more about Catch22’s Employability support and programmes.
Referral options for this service
You can refer yourself
You can refer family or a friend
You can refer a client
Service users must be 18 to 25 years old and face at least one recognisable barrier and not be in education, employment or training.
Volunteer and placement opportunities
You can volunteer for this service
You can't get a placement at this service
The programme welcomes guest speakers (volunteers) from the digital and technology sector to share their career journey with the service users. Please email the Service Manager for more details.