Golden Valley Skills Hub
Realising potential in the UKs Cyber Capital.
A key element of ensuring sustainable growth of the technology sector in Gloucestershire will be providing a strong pipeline of talent for organisations in the region.
Golden Valley, in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College, AWS and Gloucestershire County Council, is creating a skills hub which seeks to provide clearer pathways for individuals aged 14-65 into tech roles.
Aptitude testing and providing careers advice will identify groups of talented people who could be suitable for a job in the digital sector, but who would struggle to source the right qualifications and potential employers.
Who is involved?
FutureCraft
The Golden Valley Skills Hub are developing a game that will identify the county’s most exciting young talent. These individuals will then be supported into education, training and apprenticeship pathways, to turn their natural talent into cutting edge skills.
Named FutureCraft, the game requires players to solve several challenges and puzzles designed to test various skills including pattern spotting, problem solving and analytical thinking. Forming a core component of Gloucestershire’s new Cyber Skills Hub, it will be rolled out to schools and colleges via the county’s careers service.
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Players achieving top centile scores will be offered one-to-one support in accessing education and training pathways that will best nurture their talent. This could be in the form of further and / or higher education, apprenticeships or work placements.
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A key feature of FutureCraft and the surrounding programme is its ability to reach all young people, whatever their background or current level of educational attainment.
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Due to be rolled out in 2026, FutureCraft is currently in its testing phase, but it has already been well received by focus groups involving young people.
