Who we are
DiversITy-talent is a social enterprise creating opportunities for diverse, untapped talent pools by changing misconceptions of a career in modern business and technology.
DiversITy-talent is championing the notion of a truly diverse, digitally competent talent pool, through our flagship Awards schemes, work-ready training programmes, community mentoring, re-skilling development and government-level awareness raising activities.
Video summary of who we are, what we do and how we do it.
Why our programme is so important for young talent and business
New for 2025.26
Including links to Ofsted requirements, TEEP and direct linkages to the workplace, work experience and our local employer / business network.
Get Involved and register your team(s) now!
The ‘DiversITy-talent Awards’ 2025/26
A national competition open to all schools and colleges (KS2-KS5) higher education, youth groups, disadvantaged youths or young adults who are integrating back into society, young adults and minority groups representing untapped talent pools.
The competition’s aim: To solve business, community or societal challenge through applying modern business skills, interpersonal excellence, bold collaboration, teamwork, digital ways of working (such as Generative Artificial Intelligence (GEN AI)) and other appropriate technology to find winning, practical solutions that can be implemented successfully.
We will adopt Agile methodologies to underpin each programme with structure and a process to follow. This is called Design Thinking and is used by organisations everywhere to solve problems and realise new opportunities.
Our DiversITy-talent programmes are by their very nature diverse, equitable and inclusive. As such, and because gender diversity remains the number one ‘big win’ in inclusivity terms, we require that where possible girls or young women be 50% of any team as a starting point.
It is then up to the schools and groups involved to build around other appropriate diversity lenses, especially focused on SEND and NEET, so the team is representative of the community, and is a champion for the benefits of how a broad mix of talent can excel. Just like in business.
Our Partners
A huge thank you for our funding and certification partners
“At Coforge, we know that the next generation of talent is the foundation of our success. Through initiatives like DiversITy-Talent, we’re not only building a pipeline of skilled professionals but also inspiring change – 77% of students following the programme expressed specific interest in business and technology subjects, which represents a 20% increase prior to the programme. That is a one in five shift in learners’ intent. This is the kind of impact that drives innovation, engages our employees, and ensures we have a diverse and talented team ready to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
John Speight
EVP, Customer Success office
Coforge
“DiversITy-talent helps students build vital business skills for the workplace, like presenting, design thinking and resilience. Many students supported by DiversITy-talent have gone on to rewarding careers, and we’re proud to have seen the organisation go from strength to strength.”
Mark Bates
Manager Portfolio Management and Ops | Workplace, Property & Colleague Enablement | Chief Operating Office | Early Careers Programme Manager.
Nationwide Building Society
“New College Swindon has been working with the DiversITy-talent team for over a year and have had a wide range of students take advantage of this superb programme.The skills the students have developed are so valuable, and through the teamwork and collaboration central to this programme we have seen our students grow in confidence and ability. We are very excited about continuing to work with the team for the next academic year.”
Matthew Butcher
Vice Principal – Commercial, Skills and Partnerships
New College Swindon
Support DiversITy-talent by being one of our funding partners
DiversITy-talent is growing and we need your help to consolidate and grow further.
In 2024/25 our programme and Awards scheme attracted a ten-fold increase in participants when compared to the previous year, and we are looking to double again for 2025/26.
This has been achieved through the generous funding from our friends at Coforge and Nationwide Building Society, with New College Swindon committing to also being a funding partner for this coming year.
After three years of operating we need to structure ourselves more formally, employ support staff and grow our reach significantly.
Calling all businesses and the public sector
Please help us by becoming one of our valued funding partners and get directly involved with our broad untapped talent pool ongoing. Our fund raising starts at £5,000 per partner and upwards.
Support as an Individual
If you’d like to show your support as an individual, please help us raise £10,000 to fund our cohort of young talents we are giving active work experience to, and their ongoing coaching by our team of accredited professionals.
We have selected 12 individuals for this coming year who we will support and we need your help to give them the best experience possible. With a big thank you from Anna and Jeremy.
Opportunities for Organisations
Major Partner – £20,000+ per year (2-year commitment). Includes talent access, joint branding, mentoring, and programme support.
Standard Partner – From £5,000 per year (2-year commitment). Help secure the programme’s future and enjoy staff engagement opportunities.
Download our Catalogue of Sponsorship Opportunities to explore how your organisation can support DiversITy-talent.
What our participants and partners say about DiversITy-talent and our programme
“With the current prominence and focus on youth related crime and ASB, the need to have an effective intervention in place for our young people to deter and support them away from bad choices has never been more relevant.
Traditional interventions often have a strong emphasis on sport and physical activity which is just not appealing or enjoyable for some of our young people.
The DiversITy-talent programme, a collaborative effort between DiversITy-talent and Wiltshire Police, with funding from Wiltshire OPCC, works with young people who are at risk or involved in any one or more of the following criminality -drugs, knife crime and/or gangs.
It is a skills-based programme which encourages young people to tap into and develop entrepreneurial skills and gives then access to ways of thinking and opportunities that they may not have considered or even been aware of.
Seeing the young people step outside of their comfort zone and their enthusiasm for their community focused project has been a privilege. Their desire to bring their ambition to reality demonstrates that fires can be ignited when fanned in the correct way.
The work of DiversITy-talent in unleashing potential and providing opportunities for these young people has been amazing. It is obvious to see to see their investment not only in the project and its realisation but also in the students themselves.
Based on our pilot programme with DiversITy-talent we have commissioned a further two courses with them this financial year.”
“It was a fantastic event and we’re delighted with the positive outcomes for the pupils. Thank you to all involved. Sharon Pascoe, Head Teacher, Fochriw Primary School
The pupils presented to the school Governors last night. They were blown away by what DiversITy-talent had done with them, even talk of getting the local authority involved to further development the idea. Gavin John, Deputy Head and Year 6 Teacher, Fochriw Primary School.”
“Our students had a great week and learned a whole lot about business, working as a team and helping to navigate solutions to social problems within the community.
Thank you for all your support.”
“I’ve loved being a part of it and I genuinely feel that this whole challenge could/should be a national project in the majority of schools. I look forward to encouraging our new school to take part and working with you next year.”
“Through the Design thinking tech challenge I have seen my students significantly improve skills in creativity, teamwork, collaboration and presenting skills. I can see confidence has grown and working in a team has enhanced their individual listening and empathy skills as they take on each other’s perspectives.
This programme has first-hand changed what the children think about a career in business and technology and I know they all thought technology was only about coding but they have seen it is so much more.”
“The DiversITy Talent Project is a transformative journey for young people with SEN—helping them build confidence, express themselves with clarity, work collaboratively, and grow in independence. Through hands-on experiences, they discover their strengths and develop practical skills that open doors to brighter, more empowered futures.”
Let’s collaborate!
Sponsorship Enquiry Form
Join us in shaping the future—get in touch to explore sponsorship opportunities.
