West Lancashire College throws open its doors to local schools – while its own students take a trip to university – to help young people explore job opportunities in the cyber sector.
Students and pupils from across the Lancashire region recently experienced what a high-tech career in Lancashire’s dynamic cyber industry could look like when West Lancashire College joined in with a cyber skills ‘takeover’ involving more than 200 schools, colleges and universities across the county this week.
Part of the 2025 Lancashire Cyber Festival, and organised by the Lancashire Cyber Partnership, the cyber education week saw over 12,000 children and young people - from primary school pupils thorough to university undergraduates – discovering more about study pathways and future job opportunities set to be created by the county’s cyber sector.
West Lancashire College’s involvement saw pupils from different local schools visiting the College to experience a day of engaging cyber activities. With a strong emphasis on fun, interaction and teamwork, these included microbit programming, pygame and web development.
The following day, several of our own students were themselves able to discover more about the cyber sector when they visited Edge Hill University. Like the local school pupils who had visited the College on the previous day, our students were also tasked with cracking cyber puzzles and undertaking exercises to solve technical challenges linked to online threats.
They also learned about the type of cyber disciplines which can be studied at university level, and what kind of jobs they could lead them to, including some of the career opportunities which will be generated directly and indirectly by the National Cyber Force (NCF) HQ coming to Lancashire.
In addition, students discovered more about the wide range of cyber-related roles set to be created in sectors like computing and IT, aerospace and manufacturing, energy and low carbon, construction and engineering, financial and professional services, and the creative industries.
Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Lancashire’s cyber education week, which is part of the 2025 Lancashire Cyber Festival, has given thousands of young people at different stages of education the chance to experience the exciting skills and job opportunities which are offered by Lancashire’s growing cyber sector. To achieve this, the Lancashire Cyber Partnership worked closely with partners across the county, including West Lancashire College, to create a dynamic programme of events which were directly related to the different cyber careers and study pathways available throughout Lancashire.
“It is great that we’ve seen learners of all ages, from all backgrounds, and from all parts of Lancashire, taking part in a diverse range of engaging activities which have been hands-on and inspiring, as well as educational.”
Commenting on West Lancashire College’s involvement in the event, Tony Robinson, Head of STEM Curriculum said: “West Lancashire College is proud to have participated in the Lancashire Cyber Festival, equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By engaging with industry experts, stakeholders and cutting-edge cyber technologies, we are preparing the next generation for the future of Digital and cybersecurity.”
A spokesperson for the Lancashire Cyber Partnership, a strategic collaboration between Lancashire County Council, the University of Central Lancashire, Lancaster University, BAE Systems, and the NCF, said: “The Lancashire Cyber Partnership works to ensure all Lancashire residents feel the benefit of the county’s growing cyber economy. A vital part of that is giving people the chance to access education and training opportunities which can lead to a high-skilled and high-value career in the cyber sector, and related industries.
“Cyber education week, which is part of the wider 2025 Lancashire Cyber Festival, is a great example of how we go about achieving that objective. It’s fantastic that so many young people from across Lancashire got to take part, including those from West Lancashire College, and see what their own future in cyber could look like.”
Other activities which took part during cyber education week included online assemblies created especially for Lancashire’s primary schools, an online ‘capture the flag’ competition open to all Lancashire college and university students, and a dynamic and interactive cyber discovery day programmed specifically for Year 8 and Year 9 girls.