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Event round-up: Future Careers in Emerging Tech

17 March 20263 min read
News
Event round-up: Future Careers in Emerging Tech

On 5 March, techUK hosted an event focusing on Future Careers in Emerging Tech, held as part of National Careers Week and techUK's TechTogether campaign, bringing together people at all stages of their careers to explore what emerging technologies mean for jobs today and in the future.

Across two panels, speakers from AI, semiconductors, quantum, academia, social mobility and emplo shared honest reflections on their own career paths, the skills that matter most, and how to navigate a rapidly changing job market.​

Panel 1 - Inside Emerging Tech: What It Is and Why It Matters

Speakers

  • Chair: Ella Shuter, Junior Programme Manager for Emerging Technology, techUK​

  • Catherine Ramsdale, SVP Technology, Pragmatic Semiconductor​

  • Freddie Horth, Associate Application Owner (former apprentice product manager), Digital Catapult​

  • Dan Patten, Government Affairs & Policy Lead, Scale AI​

  • Charlie Markham, Technical Specialist, Emerging Tech & Research, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)​

What was discussed

  • Emerging tech roles span deep technical R&D, regulation and safety, policy and government affairs, product management and programme delivery

  • Communication is a core skill in technical environments: this includes being able to translate complex concepts simply, connect work across teams, and explain why something matters

  • Many panellists came from non‑technical backgrounds (politics, international relations, English, psychology) and moved into emerging tech via transferable skills and curiosity, rather than a linear STEM route​

  • Pragmatic Semiconductor mentioned a wide range of opportunities beyond degrees – from technicians and maintenance roles on advanced manufacturing equipment to degree apprenticeships and KTPs that bridge academia and industry

  • Panellists stressed learning from failure, making your interests visible through writing, volunteering or projects, & using side projects to build experience which can become powerful differentiators and stepping stones into emerging tech roles

  • Entry routes are increasingly diverse, including apprenticeships (including degree and Level 7), graduate schemes, summer placements and roles effectively created when individuals spot a gap and propose a solution

Panel 2 - Breaking In: Pathways and Skills for the Next Generation of Tech Talent​

Speakers

  • Chair: Jake Wall, Policy Manager for Skills & the Future of Work, techUK

  • Ian Bolton, Academic Director, TechSkills​

  • Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF)​

  • Dr Yuliana Topazly MBE, Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation, University of East London​

  • Joshua Carney, Senior Employer Engagement Manager, The Sutton Trust​

  • Hussein Ali, Talent Consultant, HP​

What was discussed

  • High‑growth copportunity areas include semiconductors and chip design, photonics and optoelectronics, cybersecurity, cloud and DevOps, and software engineering – all of which underpin AI and other emerging technologies

  • Soft skills and “core” capabilities – adaptability, resilience, critical thinking, commercial awareness, and the ability to work with ever‑changing tech – are as important as specific tools or languages

  • AI is changing recruitment: large employers are seeing unprecedented application volumes and are starting to use automation to filter applications, which makes clear, specific, non‑generic applications more important than ever

  • To stand out, speakers advised candidates to:

    • Build, break and rebuild things, and maintain a portfolio that shows real projects, not just certificates

    • Demonstrate depth: talk about where you made mistakes, what you learned, and where the vulnerabilities are in what you built

    • Avoid “vanilla” applications that could be sent to any employer; tailor CVs and statements to the company, role and sector

  • Employers increasingly value authentic evidence of soft skills, not just statements: examples from part‑time work, caring responsibilities, running societies or side projects can all demonstrate teamwork, crisis management, communication and leadership

  • Choosing a route into entrepreneurship: universities and incubators are supporting students and graduates to turn their own innovations into products and services, and start‑ups in turn create new internship and entry‑level opportunities

Event Recording