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techUK and GDS launch the second iteration of the Tech Connect Programme...

Tech Connect: enabling Public/Private collaboration for govtech innovation

techUK, in partnership with the Government Digital Service and HMRC, is delighted to launch the second cohort of the Tech Connect programme. Tech Connect brings together early professionals from the Digital, Data and Technology Fast Stream together with their peers from leading tech companies. It is a 12-week digital skills programme which sees the cohort split into teams to identify and design solutions for public sector challenges. Over the course of the programme the cohort will visit a range of sites to see live demos of innovation happening in the private sector that could be used to inform their solutions. The programme then will culminate in a competitive presentation “pitch day” attended by senior officials and industry reps.

The programme aspires to give private sector participants insight into how government works, and to provide civil service colleagues with an appreciation of how innovation can work in real time in a commercial, agile environment. Working collaboratively across the traditional public-private divide will give participants a creative freedom to bring their ideas to life in ways they may not have experienced in their usual environment.

Speaking at the launch event, Alison Pritchard, the Director General of GDS, said:

“I’m delighted to support the second cohort of Tech Connect, which will once again bring together colleagues in both private and public sectors to tackle govtech challenges. The programme enables them to share skills and experience and learn from each other while working together to deliver innovative solutions for the public sector. The Tech Connect initiative is a great example of collaboration between industry and Government, providing each with insights into how the others work and innovate. And I very much look forward to seeing what the teams come up with this time.”

Julian David, techUK’s CEO, added:

“I’m thrilled that we have built on the success of the first iteration of the programme and expanded it this year to include more participants and a broader range of companies. This programme is a brilliant way of bringing together the bright minds who will be charged with building the next generation of world-class public services, broadening their horizons and helping them forge links that will hopefully last their entire careers.”

If you’d like to find out more about the Tech Connect programme please contact Press@techUK.org