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 the TechTogether campaign.

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 employment shared honest reflections on their own career paths, the skills that matter most, and how to navigate a rapidly changing job market.

Panel 1: Careers in Emerging Tech – Skills, Pathways and Lived Experience

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, often filled by people without STEM degrees

Communication is a core skill in technical environments: 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 described 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 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

Second panel: 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 opportunity 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 in 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

techUK's Skills, Talent and Diversity Programme activities

techUK work with our members to signpost the opportunity of digital jobs and ensure these opportunities are open to people of diverse backgrounds. We strive to help our members attract, recruit, and retain a diverse workforce, whilst showcasing their work on workplace innovation. Visit the programme page here.

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To make sure that the UK is a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone, it is crucial that people have the digital skills needed for life and work. Rapid digitalisation is creating surging demand for digital skills across the economy and the current domestic skills pipeline cannot keep up. Digitalisation is also leading to rapid changes in the labour market that means some traditional roles are being displaced. There is an urgent need to better match the demand and supply.

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Future of Work

The future of work is changing. Technology is powering a growth in flexible work across the economy, whilst emerging technologies such as robotics and AI are set to become common place. techUK believes the UK must consider the implications of digital transformation in the world of work now, equipping people and businesses across the country with the skills and conditions needed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the 4IR.

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Diversity and inclusion sits at the heart of digital growth. The tech sector understands that innovation thrives from diversity of thought and is continually looking to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce. techUK is proud to support a number of initiatives that promote this, from doing outreach work to ensure that people regardless of their background are inspired into tech, to initiatives that help build more inclusive workplaces for those with different accessibility needs.

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Authors

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

Event round-up | Future Careers in Emerging Tech

Panel 1: Careers in Emerging Tech – Skills, Pathways and Lived Experience

Speakers

What was discussed

Second panel: Breaking In – Pathways and Skills for the Next Generation of Tech Talent

Speakers

What was discussed

Event Recording