North East tech enabler expands workforce to drive digital growth in region

A North East software centre has created ten new jobs in the hope of driving digital growth for businesses in the region.

Sunderland Software City has launched these new jobs in its Enterprise Team, which will focus on supporting start up and growth rates of digital tech businesses in the North East.

It will also focus on helping people to explore and advance their digital business ideas, with support ranging from raising awareness about the possibilities of starting a tech business to delivering business support.

David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City, said: “There is a real desire across the region to create a pipeline of new digital tech businesses and we’re working with a number of partners to make this a reality.”

He continued: “To bring this from plan to fruition we are recruiting a broad number of new roles. We’ve deliberately made many of the jobs suitable for people who never thought they could help tech sector growth – such as our engagement specialists, who reach into communities not normally linked to tech business creation.”

Sunderland Software City is also expanding other departments with new roles to work in the wider tech ecosystem. It aims to help non-digital businesses adopt technology through the Digital Pathfinders programme and raise awareness of STEM careers within schools.

Not only that, it has partnered with the Department for Education’s Digital Bootcamp pilot which aims to support over 500 people to build their digital tech skills and access jobs in regional companies.

Jill McKinney, head of skills at Sunderland Software City, said: “The Digital Bootcamp project is a true step change initiative and is an opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds to access employment in the burgeoning regional sector.”

Sunderland Software City hopes that its work will create 2,000 new businesses by 2026 and bring thousands of new digital tech sector jobs to North East England.