Students learn about opportunities at third annual Lancashire Cyber Education Week

More than 10,000 young people across Lancashire took part in hands‑on cyber and digital activities during the Lancashire Cyber Partnership’s third annual Cyber Education Week.

Over 100 schools and colleges joined events hosted by education partners across the county.

Students took part in cyber‑themed quizzes, code‑breaking tasks, cybercrime‑prevention workshops, and virtual escape room challenges, all aimed at showcasing the breadth of Lancashire’s fast‑growing cyber ecosystem.

As part of the week, BAE Systems ran STEM workshops with a focus on digital and cyber skills for over 150 primary school pupils across Lancashire.

College students also visited Lancaster University, the University of Lancashire, and Edge Hill University, where they explored routes into cyber and met with experts working in the sector.

Colleges across the county also welcomed local high school students to help inspire the next generation of digital talent.

Cardinal Newman College student Rooney Muyah played the part of an open-source intelligence investigator in a mock missing persons investigation.

He said: “It’s made me realise how easy it is to track people down on the internet and the importance of not sharing too much personal information online.

"I’m considering studying cyber security at university so to take part in a hands-on exercise like this has been very beneficial.”

Other events through the week included MEGA’s Greentech Games, delivered by IN4 Group at Brockholes Nature Reserve, with 280 Year 8 girls engaging in sustainability‑focused technology challenges, and a TeenTech virtual session exploring innovation, AI and cyber security.

A spokesman for the Lancashire Cyber Partnership said: “Education Week plays an important role in the Lancashire Cyber Partnership’s long-term goal of creating a talent pipeline for the many cyber focussed roles UK businesses will require in the future.

"We are proud that many schools, colleges, and universities in the county actively took part in the week. Unlocking the next generation’s ability to take advantage of cyber and tech-based jobs in Lancashire is imperative.

"Ensuring those at school, college and university in Lancashire are work ready for exciting roles in tech and cyber is a strategic objective of the Lancashire Cyber Partnership.”

Ahead of Education Week, 40 teachers and careers advisers attended a National Cyber Force‑led Teachers Encounter event, gaining insights into cyber opportunities and how they can shape future learning and guidance for students.

The week concluded with a family day at Blackburn College, which saw more than 1,100 members of the community take part in activities including an employer panel, industry-delivered experiences, and  hands‑on robotic an coding challenges.

Lancashire Cyber Education Week was organised by the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub on behalf of the LCP and forms part of wider activity to shape, support, and promote the county’s world class cyber strengths and fast-growing cyber ecosystem.

The LCP was launched in 2023 and is made up of Lancashire County Council (LCC); the University of Lancashire; Lancaster University; BAE Systems; and the National Cyber Force (NCF).