The partnership aims to prepare students aged 14-19 for the cyber security jobs market. With the cooperation of various Security and Private Sector organisations, the group hopes to bridge the security resource and skills gap that organisations currently face.

Fujitsu is aiming to equip a minimum of 500 students a year with the right cyber skills to be able to hit the ground running when they start employment, and to better prepare those moving into Higher Education.

>See also: Combating the cyber skills gap at the UK’s largest ethical hack challenge

“In a world of connected devices, and increasingly AI and machine learning, the security landscape is seeing exponential growth with attack techniques and sectors changing at an alarming rate. In light of recent attacks it is especially important that we do more to help the next generation of students better understand the positive impact that cybersecurity knowledge can have on their lives and future careers,” said Rob Norris, Vice President of Enterprise and Cyber Security, Fujitsu. “As we fast progress towards a ‘digital first’ nation, we need to ensure we are investing at the very beginning of the digital journey and developing the right skills to support the future digital economy.”

A recent  Tripwire study found that 93% of security professionals are worried about the skills gap in cyber security, while 72% believe it is more difficult to hire skilled security staff to defend against today’s complex cyber attacks compared to a few years ago. The changing face of cyber security has changed the fundamental skills needed

>See also: Government response to tech skills gap: cyber security and coding

Mike Halliday, Business Relations Manager for UTC Reading, UTC Swindon, and UTC Heathrow, said: “While UTCs are attracting more and more ‘academic’ students, our real strength is in offering a learning journey that allows students to experience a practical education that prepares them for the world of work. Historically students may not have considered entering a cybersecurity profession, often meaning they missed out on a career that they could be good at, and one in which they’d find purpose and fulfilment.”

“The UTC Cyber Group looks to connect industry to an untapped source of thinking in order to meet the current cybersecurity challenges. There will be a particular focus on supporting students who could provide real value to an organisation due to their natural technical skill and ability. UTCs have the advantage of focusing on technical skills development, and are a real alternative for those that wish to learn hands-on, which makes a cyber UTC the ideal environment to nurture and accelerate cyber talent with the support of our industry partners.”

>See also: The answer the UK’s cyber security skills gap? More apprenticeships