Tech Talent Live
City Hall Sunderland

About Tech Talent Live
- Meet Leading Employers – Connections with top companies actively hiring across all experience levels.
- Upskilling & Training Opportunities – Explore certifications, reskilling programmes, and career development workshops.
- Career Growth for All – Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking leadership roles or a newcomer breaking into the industry, there was something here for you.
- Inspiring Career Talks – Hearing from leading organisations about the future of tech careers, emerging trends, and how to thrive in the industry.
- Expand Your Network – Building valuable connections with employers, training providers, and career mentors.
Why Attend?
- Meet Leading Employers – Connect with top companies actively hiring across all experience levels.
- Upskilling & Training Opportunities – Explore certifications, reskilling programmes, and career development workshops.
- Career Growth for All – Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking leadership roles or a newcomer breaking into the industry, there’s something here for you.
- Inspiring Career Talks – Hear from leading organisations about the future of tech careers, emerging trends, and how to thrive in the industry.
- Expand Your Network – Build valuable connections with employers, training providers, and career mentors.
Who Should Attend
This event was for everyone – from experienced professionals aiming for senior roles to career switchers and fresh talent exploring digital and tech careers.
With the careers fair theme being ‘Opportunities for All’, we were committed to creating an inclusive space for all backgrounds, career stages, and skill levels.
Additional Event Features
- Live Talks by Industry Leaders – Insights from top organisations on tech careers and industry trends.
- CV Clinic & Career Coaching – Expert advice on your CV and career strategy.
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities – Opt to share details with exhibitors at the sign-up stage to enable potential follow-ups after the event.
- Free LinkedIn/Passport-Style Photos – Elevate your professional profile with a polished headshot.
- Travel Support* – Partial reimbursements were available for those on state benefits (ESA).
- Diversity & Inclusion Commitment*– Tailored support was available for neurodivergent attendees and underrepresented groups.
- Child-Friendly Hour (13:30-14:30) – While all were welcome throughout the event, this hour is specifically designed to support parents attending with children.
- Healthy Refreshments – Complimentary fruit was provided to keep people energised.
*Applications must be submitted in advance. Terms and conditions apply.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
- Meet Leading Employers – Connections with top companies actively hiring across all experience levels.
- Upskilling & Training Opportunities – Explore certifications, reskilling programmes, and career development workshops.
- Career Growth for All – Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking leadership roles or a newcomer breaking into the industry, there was something here for you.
- Inspiring Career Talks – Hearing from leading organisations about the future of tech careers, emerging trends, and how to thrive in the industry.
- Expand Your Network – Building valuable connections with employers, training providers, and career mentors.
Why Attend?
- Meet Leading Employers – Connect with top companies actively hiring across all experience levels.
- Upskilling & Training Opportunities – Explore certifications, reskilling programmes, and career development workshops.
- Career Growth for All – Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking leadership roles or a newcomer breaking into the industry, there’s something here for you.
- Inspiring Career Talks – Hear from leading organisations about the future of tech careers, emerging trends, and how to thrive in the industry.
- Expand Your Network – Build valuable connections with employers, training providers, and career mentors.
Who Should Attend
This event was for everyone – from experienced professionals aiming for senior roles to career switchers and fresh talent exploring digital and tech careers.
With the careers fair theme being ‘Opportunities for All’, we were committed to creating an inclusive space for all backgrounds, career stages, and skill levels.
Additional Event Features
- Live Talks by Industry Leaders – Insights from top organisations on tech careers and industry trends.
- CV Clinic & Career Coaching – Expert advice on your CV and career strategy.
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities – Opt to share details with exhibitors at the sign-up stage to enable potential follow-ups after the event.
- Free LinkedIn/Passport-Style Photos – Elevate your professional profile with a polished headshot.
- Travel Support* – Partial reimbursements were available for those on state benefits (ESA).
- Diversity & Inclusion Commitment*– Tailored support was available for neurodivergent attendees and underrepresented groups.
- Child-Friendly Hour (13:30-14:30) – While all were welcome throughout the event, this hour is specifically designed to support parents attending with children.
- Healthy Refreshments – Complimentary fruit was provided to keep people energised.
*Applications must be submitted in advance. Terms and conditions apply.
Speakers
Event Registration is Closed
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Registration
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk