TechFirst Girls’ Competition 2026
Registration open until Tuesday 10th November
Explore Tech Careers — Free for Students Aged 11–18 in the East of England
Tech isn't a career — it's in every career.
TechFirst youth programme is a free initiative connecting students aged 11 to 18 across the East of England with real technology pathways — in every industry, in every county.
From music to medicine. From farming to fashion. Technology isn't one industry — it powers all of them. Whatever you're into, there's a tech role that needs people exactly like you.
Here's what TechFirst youth means for you
Tech careers and STEM pathways across six counties
I’m a
Student
Find out what tech careers really look like, discover events happening near you and see how a TechFirst youth programme workshop could inspire you.
I’m a
Teacher
Book a free in-school workshop, access Gatsby Benchmark aligned resources and find teacher support and lesson plans built for computing leads and STEM teachers.
I’m a
School Leader
Explore TechFirst youth programme accreditation, understand what it means for your Gatsby Benchmark evidence and register your school’s interest.
I’m a
Parent
Find out what the TechFirst youth programme offers your child - what they'll experience at each stage, where it can take them and what safeguarding is in place.
I’m an
Employer
Pledge your team’s time to the TechFirst youth programme and help students across the East of England discover careers they don’t yet know are possible
Tech Pathways: what do you love? We'll show you where it leads.
A free interactive tool for students. Pick up to 3 interests, see the tech jobs inside them, and get a real route to each one built from schools, colleges and employers nearby, ready to share with a parent or teacher.
Passionate about the future
for our young people
The Challenge Is On:
Can Your Year 8 Girls Out-Code the UK?
Enter your students in the TechFirst Girls’ Competition 2026
Challenge your Year 8 girls to build practical tech skills, solve real-world challenges and discover what’s possible in technology. Competition is live Wednesday 11th November – Friday 20th November 2026.
Students work in teams of four to tackle challenges across:
- Cyber Security
- AI
- Hardware
- Quantum Computing
Along the way, they’ll develop problem-solving, collaboration and digital skills, while gaining confidence in areas of technology they may not have explored before.
And they’ll be competing against teams from schools across the UK.
Why your school should take part
- Free to enter
- Designed for Year 8 girls aged 12–13
- Easy to access, online competition
- Builds teamwork, confidence and problem-solving skills
- Hands-on, real-world tech challenges
- An exciting way to introduce students to emerging technologies
Ready to get your students involved?
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get involved. Simply put together a team of four Year 8 girls and let the challenges do the rest.
Entries close Tuesday 10th November 2026
Competition is live Wednesday 11th November – Friday 20th November
What is TechFirst youth?
TechFirst youth programme is a free initiative funded by DCMS and delivered by Tech Educators across six counties of the East of England. We work with secondary schools to bring real technology careers into the classroom - through in-school workshops, hackathons, employer events and a formal accreditation pathway.
Each year, we reach around 21,000 students aged 11 to 18. We actively prioritise schools in the most underserved parts of the region and we aim to ensure at least half of the students we work with are female.
If you're a student, a teacher, a school, a parent, or an employer — there's a place for you in TechFirst youth.
engaging over
21,000
young people per year
activity across
6
different counties
supported by
400+ hrs
of real life business expertise
working with
30+
industry partners
Our Partners
More from TechFirst youth
Events, stories and workshops — explore what's happening across the East of England.
Schools
Book a free workshop
Bring the TechFirst youth programme into your school. It's free, curriculum-linked and delivered by people who work in the industry everyday.
Book Now