Reading: ConnectTVT invites companies to support next digital generation

ConnectTVT is inviting Thames Valley businesses to support the next generation of digital skills. Up to 200 sponsored tickets are available for the Tech for Good Conference, for local schools, colleges and universities. Tech for Good is a headline event within the Festival of Digital Disruption (FoDD) line-up, the three-day town-centre tech take-over in Reading, now in its third year. 

ConnectTVT founder Louize Clarke has designed the Tech for Good conference specifically to inspire young people about the way technology can lead innovation and positive change across health, social and community services, shaping a better future for all. It follows recent figures (from Jisc) showing that 81.5% of university students feel that digital skills will be important in their chosen career, but only half believe that their courses prepare them well for the digital workplace. 

Tech for Good speakers include, Mike Dunn, from fintech platform innovating charitable giving, Donate the Change, Natalia Efremova, CTO at Deep Planet, usingAI and satellite imagery to enable precision agriculture in developing economies and Kathy Nothstine, Lead Future Cities at Nesta who recently completed a project exploring the application of drones across 5 UK cities. Julian Blake from Digital Agenda, the national tech for good platform, will host a panel.

Clarke said: “We want to inspire young people about tech’s transformative potential. Our Tech for Good conference brings together the people that are making the world a better place through tech and digital innovation. We’d love more Reading businesses to be part of this, by opening up places for young people in the region.”

A group of Reading’s SMEs are already supporting Tech for Good places, which can be sponsored for £99 per ticket. They include Feelgood Creative, Technical Nature and Work in Confidence.

Matt Bovey, co-creator at FoDD, added: “There’s a lot of talk about supporting digital talent, but few companies are willing to step up and invest. We’re grateful to the businesses already on board, helping to tackle this potential talent crisis. Our aim is to open up new opportunities, and inspire young people to see how careers in digital and tech can be a force for good, and quite simply, awesome.”