Oldham leads the way in tech education as Greater Manchester’s first MEGA Hub

Oldham has become the first borough in Greater Manchester to launch the pioneering MEGA Hub programme, leading the way in boosting digital skills and aspirations among more than 1,250 young people across the region.

With every secondary school in Oldham set to participate by the end of 2026, the MEGA (motivated, educated generation with ambition) Hub, developed by professional technology skills provider IN4 Group in partnership with Oldham Council, is designed to equip students with the skills and career pathways needed to thrive in the tech sector.

Funded by Oldham Council and IN4 Group, along with global tech companies including IBM, KPMG UK, Northrop Grumman, CGI, QinetiQ, Roke, and BT, the MEGA Hub provides local students hands-on experiences in AI, cyber security, coding, virtual reality and machine learning.

This extensive super curriculum includes extra-curricular days and an out-of-school Cyber and Esports Academy, which will launch in the summer term. Thirty young people from each school will have the opportunity to form their own esports teams. They will also gain valuable insights into the business and entrepreneurial aspects of esports, as well as knowledge of cyber security and the importance of wellbeing, teamwork and problem-solving.

Fifty MEGA Scholarships will be awarded to individuals aged 16 to 18, providing a £1000 bursary, access to mentorship, industry placements, and a qualification in cyber security that will count towards UCAS points.

The MEGA Hub has been created to help previously high-achieving students who may be underachieving due to barriers such as low income, limited access to opportunities or low attendance. Research shows that 15 per cent of children who rank in the top 10 per cent academically at age 11 do not go on to reach the top 25 per cent at GCSE level. The MEGA Hub aims to close this gap and support young people in reaching their full potential.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “Oldham is leading the way in this landmark moment as the first borough in Greater Manchester to launch the MEGA Hub programme. This is about ensuring every young person, no matter their background, has fair access to the opportunities and skills needed for a future in technology.”

“By partnering across public and private sectors, we are building a future where local talent fuels prosperity in Greater Manchester, ensuring everyone has a real opportunity to make a significant impact in this evolving tech landscape.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Oldham Council Leader, said: “It has long been my mission to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has equal access to the best opportunities in life. Programmes like the MEGA Hub do just that, so I’m delighted that we can be leading the way in partnering with them.

“Skills in the technology sector are so important in the current and future landscape. By equipping our young people with these tools, we can give them the skills they need to go far and do Oldham proud.”

Since January, 247 young people have participated in MEGA Days, showing strong engagement from girls and students of diverse backgrounds – 41 per cent of participants were female, and 43 per cent belonged to ethnic minority groups.

Already proving successful in Lancashire, the first county in the UK to introduce the MEGA Hub programme, plans are underway to expand it across the rest of Greater Manchester and the North West.