Students in Preston are among the first in the UK to be taught a new AI ‘super curriculum’ as Lancashire becomes the first county to roll out the programme.
The Preston MEGA (Motivated, Educated Generation with Ambition) Hub is one of 10 hubs across the Lancashire local authorities.
The program aims to make sure local students are ready for the high-tech jobs of the future by giving them hands-on experience in crucial practical skills, including cyber security, machine learning (AI), entrepreneurship, and Esports.
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Over 8,297 students across Lancashire will take part, with selected students in areas like Blackpool and Blackburn eligible for a £1,000 scholarship providing dedicated mentoring, job-shadowing, and workplace visits to help them secure better career options after school.
Lauren Monks from IN4 Group, which runs the program, said: “Preston is leading the way in unlocking the potential of talented young people who may be at risk of underachieving due to disadvantage, neurodiversity or lack of social capital.
“The MEGA Hub helps every young person, wherever they live and whatever their background, to secure the best career destinations by boosting academic attainment, building technology skills, and opening access to professional networks.”
The program is a joint effort between education, local government, and major companies. Local councils, including Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, and Blackpool Council, are key supporters, and the program is funded by big names like IBM, KPMG UK, Northrop Grumman, CGI, and BT.
The initiative also has the critical backing of the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Paul Vaughan, deputy principal at Cardinal Newman College, said: “We’re proud to be an anchor college for the Preston MEGA Hub. Being part of the MEGA Hub Days has aligned perfectly with our college’s core values of excellence, opportunity, and community. It has given Preston school pupils the chance to engage, innovate, and apply their learning in real-world contexts.
“Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue strengthening this partnership – building on the success of our Hub Days and seeing more young people inspired to explore digital and tech careers that make a real impact in the North West and beyond.”
Leader of Lancashire County Council Stephen Atkinson said: “This programme motivates young people and allows them to see the opportunity and makes them ready for the high-value jobs that will come into Lancashire.
“These young people are like seeds from which oak trees grow, and they will influence their peers, and they will see how exciting this is, how they are supported and the ambition we have never seen before.”
For more information about MEGA Hubs and how local employers can get involved, please contact Tamima Mulla-Shah at: tamima@in4group.co.uk.
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