LEEDS UNLEASHED: Unlocking the doors to Leeds’ thriving tech scene

Initiated by xDesign and Leeds City Council, the partnership initiative also includes Sky, Burberry, and Glean and will be officially launched with a day long series of events on Friday, May 5.

BOOK NOW: To sign up to attend visit leedsunleashed.com.

Here Katherine writes about why Glean got on board.

If you were asked to picture what it’s like to work in the tech sector, one of two things likely comes to mind – either a lone developer in a dark room surrounded by multiple screens filled with lines and lines of indiscernible code, or perhaps a gigantic campus in California where employees make their way around on branded bikes to attend meetings in cutting edge break out areas; two completely different spectrums.

Hollywood has a lot to answer for.

While these scenarios do exist to a certain extent, the reality is much broader and exciting – and closer to home.

And yet, the tech sector is one of the most misunderstood and, in some circumstances, overlooked sectors to work in.

Why?

The work is deemed overly complicated and – as perception would have it – solely for introverts who enjoy plugging away at computers in dark rooms. However, the reality is very different and we need to bust the myths.

For instance, developers and engineers work in extremely collaborative cultures these days – driving organisations and their digital products and services forward at pace.

What’s more, there is a huge variety in the type of work beyond that of software developers and engineers these days. I’m a fully-fledged example of this as Head of Brand for a tech company.

Working in tech is also not limited to working at a tech company; tech is central to operations in nearly every company – from fashion and retail to broadcasting and education.

Add to this, the UK’s tech sector is thriving. It is the number one tech ecosystem in Europe and continues to challenge the US and China on a global level. From the creation of the telephone to the Raspberry Pi, we have an incredibly strong heritage in tech – much more than anyone might truly appreciate.

That’s why we have got on board with a brand new initiative set to pull back the curtain on the tech sector in Leeds alongside Leeds City Council and digital development partner, xDesign.

On May 5, we’ll be participating in Leeds Unleashed, an opportunity for those intrigued by the tech sector to meet face-to-face with some of the city’s largest tech employers.

Alongside us will be xDesign, Burberry, and Sky, where we will together challenge the status quo and take action on the sector’s ever-widening skills gap.

Together we will demystify what tech careers involve and how to get into them – as well as showcase the broad suite of roles that exist for young people and career changers right here in Leeds.

We know the last few years have not been easy for those looking to learn more about the tech sector, so being able to finally get young people and career changers in front of not only technologists but also the technology that is shaping some of Leeds’ biggest and best tech-enabled companies is electrifying.

All of the organisations involved in the event know how important it is to speak to people in person and show them what it is really like to work in tech – because it’s not always like the movies.

Leeds is abuzz with tech innovation. You never know what is going on behind the scenes, but Leeds Unleashed is your backstage pass to see what’s happening right on your doorstep.

To sign up to attend, please visit leedsunleashed.com.