A school pupil attending Bright Futures day at GCHQ
Bright Futures Day Opens Doors to Future STEM and Cyber Careers in Cheltenhamy
GCHQ, in partnership with Golden Valley Development, brought together around 40 young people from across Cheltenham for Bright Futures Day on 30 October, inspiring the next generation to explore opportunities in STEM, cyber, languages and innovation.
The event at GCHQ’s Cheltenham hub was aimed at local young people identified through their schools and family support networks. Throughout the day of hands-on activities, young people aged 11-14 explored science, technology, languages and innovation, discovering new interests and future career possibilities.
Students took part in ethical hacking challenges, language tasters, systems thinking exercises, Cloud and space-themed workshops. The history of GCHQ was brought to life with a close-up look at historic devices, including Enigma. Participants heard from a range of GCHQ staff, from junior analysts to senior leaders, who shared insights into their career journeys and the range of opportunities across the organisation.
Bright Futures Day reflects the shared commitment of GCHQ and Golden Valley to supporting local communities and helping young people realise their potential. By providing access to new experiences, role models and practical learning opportunities, the event helped raise aspirations and showcase pathways into STEM, cyber and related fields.
Professor Danielle George, GCHQ’s Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security, said:
"This partnership demonstrates how collaboration can create meaningful social impact; helping to build confidence, raise aspirations, ignite curiosity and open doors for young people across Cheltenham and beyond."
Cllr Rowena Hay, Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council said:
“Golden Valley is creating new opportunities for our community, and we want young people to see that they can be part of that journey. Events like this open the door to new possibilities, helping them explore the careers, skills and opportunities emerging right here in Gloucestershire.”
Hamer Boot, Managing Director, HBD added.
“Golden Valley is about creating real opportunities for local people, and this is a great example of what that can look like. GCHQ has given these young people a fantastic insight into the world of cyber and technology, and the careers it can open up.”