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RTC North Expands Delivery of CyberFirst Horizons to Empower More Young People Across the North East and Yorkshire
RTC North is proud to continue its partnership with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Hg Foundation to widen access to cyber and digital careers for young people across the North East and, for the first time, Yorkshire & Humber.
Following the success of the 2025 pilot, where RTC North delivered the CyberFirst Horizons programme to 50 Year 12 and 13 students in the North East, the initiative will return in summer 2026 with double the reach. For the first time, the programme is also being delivered in the Yorkshire & Humber region, where over 100 students have already expressed interest in taking part.
Designed for Year 12 students, and focussed on those from social mobility backgrounds, CyberFirst Horizons offers a transformative three-week experience which equips participants with essential skills, confidence, and insight into the UK’s rapidly growing cyber and technology sectors.
In week one, students will develop communication and presentation skills, alongside CV writing and interview preparation. The following two weeks will immerse them in the regional tech ecosystem through site visits, hands-on workshops, and challenges with over 30 local organisations. It’s a chance for businesses to invest in their future workforce and for students to discover real pathways into cyber roles across the North East and Yorkshire & Humber.
The North East programme will be hosted at Newcastle University, while the Yorkshire & Humber programme will be hosted by UTC Leeds. A number of organisations have already confirmed they will host visits or deliver workshops.
The Yorkshire & Humber programme has secured commitment from four universities as well as industry partners (CyberFirst Ambassadors). Site visits are planned to the University of Leeds, the University of Law and Accenture.
Confirmed supporting organisations include:
· CYBERFIT
· Accenture
· DePuy Synthes
· Microsoft
· Yorkshire Water
· Numiko
Higher Education and Public‑Sector Partners include:
· University of Leeds
· Leeds Beckett University
· Sheffield Hallam University
· University of Law
· Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU)
Confirmed supporting organisations for the North East programme include:
· Sage
· Waterstons
· Accenture
· Ministry of Defence
· Atom Bank
· Deloitte
· DXC Technology
· Talentheads
· Virgin Money
· Barclays
· Aspire
· Palo Alto Networks
· Kings Priory Digital
Higher Education supporters include:
· Newcastle University
· Northumbria University
· Teeside University
· Sunderland University
By scaling delivery into Yorkshire & Humber, RTC North aims to inspire more young people to consider a future in cyber, breaking down barriers to opportunity and helping to address critical skills shortages across the North.
CyberHorizons is about turning potential into meaningful opportunity. By giving young people hands‑on experience, employer insight and sustained support, the programme opens up pathways into cyber careers that are not only great for individual social mobility, but vital to our collective security and prosperity. We’re delighted to see it scale across the North East and Yorkshire and Humber to reach even more students who might otherwise miss out - and would love to see the programme offered to young people throughout the UK.
I’m proud of my North East roots and know the depth of talent and ambition across the region. Programmes like CyberFirst Horizons help ensure that more young people can access the opportunities they deserve. When we unlock opportunities for young people, we unlock the future. By empowering students across the North East and Yorkshire to discover their potential in cyber, we’re helping to build a brighter, more resilient digital world for everyone.
Cyber security is fundamental to the UK’s growth, resilience and future prosperity. It's a profession that matters to us all, and we need to make sure young people from every background can see a route into it. CyberFirst Horizons does exactly that. By giving students in the North East and Yorkshire & Humber real-world insight, links with employers and practical guidance, this programme will help more young people explore careers in one of the UK’s most important and fast-growing sectors.
About RTC North
RTC North is a leading provider of business support and innovation services, working with organisations to unlock their potential and achieve sustainable growth. With a wealth of expertise and a commitment to excellence, RTC North empowers businesses to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and drive success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
RTC North currently delivers the STEM Ambassador contract on behalf of STEM Learning for the North East and Yorkshire and Humber regions, which creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This enables young people to develop their creativity, problem-solving and employability skills, widens their choices and supports the UK's future competitiveness. They also deliver the CyberFirst contract on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre.
About the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
The National Cyber Security Centre is the UK’s authority on cyber security. Part of GCHQ, the NCSC works with organisations, businesses and the education sector to make the UK the safest place to live and work online, including through its CyberFirst education and skills programmes.
About The Hg Foundation
The vision of The Hg Foundation is that the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background. To achieve this, it helps under-represented groups to access high quality jobs in tech by supporting education- and employment-based programmes across the UK, Europe and North America. To date, the Foundation has committed $45m, supported 55 education and employment programmes, and helped more than 80,000 young people and adults access opportunities in the technology sector.
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