Lancashire becomes the county where every secondary school will have access to a groundbreaking tech first AI programme

Every secondary school student in Lancashire will gain cutting-edge digital skills, including AI and virtual reality, in a pioneering super curriculum designed to future-proof careers and boost regional growth. 

The groundbreaking Lancashire MEGA Hubs programme, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Lancashire County Council and IN4 Group, will give students across the county unique opportunities. Through an extensive super curriculum, students will gain hands-on experience in AI, coding, cyber security, virtual reality, and machine learning. This offering includes extra-curricular days and an out-of-school Cyber and Esports Academy.  

Digital skills will also be embedded into traditional subjects like English, Maths, Geography, and Languages to enhance learning as part of the innovative Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme. 

IN4 and its leading industry partners, including IBM, KPMG UK, Northrop Grumman, CGI, QinetiQ, Roke, and BT, along with government partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, and the National Cyber Force, are making considerable investments in financial resources and expertise. 

This will give 8,340 secondary students across 103 schools in Lancashire a bespoke industry-informed enrichment programme to improve outcomes for local young people. 

With funds of £550k coming from the Lancashire Economic Growth & Development Investment Fund (LEGDIF) – a strategic initiative led by Lancashire County Council - the programme will be available to all secondary schools across Lancashire until the end of the 2026 academic year. This builds on an investment from Blackburn with Darwen Council and further commitments from Blackpool Council.

Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, commented: “We are incredibly excited about the Lancashire MEGA Hubs and the opportunities it will bring to our young people. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic goals to create a skilled and inclusive workforce and meet the growing demand for digital, cyber and tech skills from our employers. By partnering with IN4 Group, we are confident that we can inspire the next generation of digital professionals and ensure that Lancashire remains at the forefront of technological innovation.” 

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, added: “I’m proud to have brought this investment to deliver the Lancashire MEGA Hubs programme, which Lancashire County Council has matched. We’re passionate about empowering young people to achieve their potential, regardless of their socioeconomic or disadvantaged background, through a bespoke technology programme that has a hugely positive impact where they will gain an understanding of the highly skilled career pathways open to them. The MEGA Hubs will enable tech first experiences and opportunities encompassing all emerging technologies, helping bridge the digital skills gap and creating a diverse and dynamic workforce for the future.” 

Nasim Ibrahim, a Teacher of Engineering at Blackburn Central High School, which has already been benefitting from the MEGA Hub programme, said: “We have noticed a considerable transformation in the student mindset. Our students have gained a wide range of experiences through the hands-on learning opportunities, industry insights and exposure to real-world problem-solving activities. As a teacher, this experience has helped me adapt and shape the curriculum and build activities into lessons which may have been missed.” 

“Over the next few years, as our school builds a pathway in the curriculum, we hope to use the support package from the MEGA Hub to train teachers and help plan the transformation required to equip young people with the skills needed for future careers.” 

With Lancashire’s young people set to gain access to world-class expertise and industry connections, the programme is expected to boost career pathways, drive regional innovation, and position Lancashire and the emerging North West Cyber Corridor as a powerhouse for digital talent in the UK. 

For further information about MEGA Hubs, contact: suzie.short@in4group.co.uk