Many young people in Blackburn with Darwen (BwD) have no regular engagement with activities in their leisure time that encourages them to develop skills and widen aspirations for their future education and careers. In 2016, BwD was estimated to have 240 (6%) NEET young people, slightly higher than the national average. We regularly see a lack of ambition in young people; some experience barriers, such as a disability, while others face different challenges, such as peer pressure.

This project will give young people opportunities to develop digital skills future employment, education or training, delivered in a non-educational setting (effective at engaging those disengaged from education). It will increase skills and aspirations through opportunities they would not normally get. This will include giving them the ability to sample digital skills they may wish to pursue as a career and the opportunity to develop these further, including work experience and mentoring.