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Skills, Talent and Diversity

Our Skills, Talent and Diversity programme brings together employers, government and educators to help build a world-leading tech workforce, creating pathways into technology careers and a more diverse, inclusive sector. Our focus:

  • Shaping skills, apprenticeships and immigration policy

  • Technology, AI and automation's impact on jobs and the future of work

  • Championing women in tech and diverse pathways into digital careers
Skills, Talent & Diversity hero
About this programme

Building the tech workforce the UK needs.

The Skills, Talent and Diversity programme brings together employers, educators and policymakers to address some of the most significant workforce challenges facing the technology sector. From skills, apprenticeships and immigration to workforce diversity, future talent pipelines and the future of work, we shape policy together, share expertise and support the growth of the UK's digital economy.

As technology continues to evolve and organisations adopt artificial intelligence (AI), automation and other emerging technologies, ensuring people have the right skills and opportunities will be critical to future growth. We work with government, industry and education providers to create clearer pathways into technology careers, strengthen workforce development and support lifelong learning.

Through groups including the Migration Group, Digital Skills in Education Policy Group, Skills and Inclusion Council and Women in Tech Group, we shape policy, engage decision-makers and contribute to initiatives that support a more skilled, diverse and future-ready workforce. Programmes such as the AI Skills Partnership and TechSkills provide practical routes for collaboration, workforce development and industry-led skills initiatives.

This programme sits within our wider Skills, Talent and Education work, ensuring people entering and already working in technology have the skills, opportunities and support they need to succeed, now and as technology, AI and workforce needs continue to evolve.

Our impact
  • Influence skills and talent policy

    We work closely with government departments, ministers, MPs and parliamentarians to shape a positive policy environment for digital skills, apprenticeships, workforce development and immigration. Our members contribute directly to discussions on skills reform, the Growth & Skills Levy, workforce development and access to global talent, ensuring industry expertise informs future policy and legislative decisions.

  • Build a more inclusive tech workforce

    We bring together the sector's most influential networks to champion a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce. From women in technology and returner initiatives to digital inclusion and widening participation, we support practical action that helps more people access, develop, and progress in technology careers.

  • Access insight and expertise

    Members gain access to policy insight, industry expertise and practical guidance across skills, apprenticeships, workforce development and talent attraction. Through engagement with employers, educators, policymakers and expert groups, they gain valuable insight into the trends shaping the future workforce.

  • Help shape what's next

    Help shape the future of skills, talent and diversity in the UK. You'll contribute to reports, consultation responses, policy research and industry initiatives that influence national debate and workforce policy. Through this work, you can share expertise, strengthen your profile and help build a workforce fit for the future of technology and work.

Upcoming events

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Related insights

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Related policy views

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Groups

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Digital Inclusion Working Group

techUK's Digital Inclusion Working Group encompasses all our digital inclusion work.

Digital Skills in Education Policy Group

Our Digital Skills in Education Policy Group brings together members, policymakers and the wider education sector to help embed digital skills, tech literacy and AI capabilities across education and the curriculum.

Migration Policy Group

Our Migration Policy Group supports us in attaining the tech sector’s desired outcomes from both the current and future immigration system. Our group brings together experts from our members’ HR, public policy and recruitment teams.

Skills and Inclusion Council

Our Skills and Inclusion Council brings together members to support diversity and inclusion across the tech sector and help the UK develop the skills needed for the modern economy.

Women in Tech Group

Our Women in Tech Group is a network dedicated to supporting women at every stage of their tech careers, helping them to start, thrive and stay in the tech sector.

Programme specialists

Meet the team
  • Nimmi Patel

    Nimmi Patel

    Associate Director - Skills and Talent

    Nimmi Patel is the Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. She is a member of the UK government's Digital Skills Council, an external advisory body within the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), which provides expert advice and fosters collaboration to address the UK’s evolving digital skills needs and ensure the workforce is equipped for the digital economy. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre’s research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers, and governments. Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She also took part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme and is the Education and Skills Policy Co-lead for Labour in Communications.

  • Jake Wall

    Jake Wall

    Policy Manager - Skills and Future of Work

    Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace. Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes. He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.

  • Antony Walker

    Antony Walker

    Deputy CEO & Director, Shaping Policy Programmes

    Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013. Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.