Tech-focused network brings underrated technologists together with small and medium enterprises during intense competition among graduate job seekers

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, finding the right talent has become a challenge for many businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in England. According to the SME Skills Horizon: 2025 report, nine out of ten SMEs in England report skills gaps, most commonly at entry level and in specialist roles.

To address this issue, TechSkills and Day One have launched Tech Talent Bridge, a platform connecting SMEs with early-career tech candidates. The initiative aims to help SMEs recruit faster and more effectively while giving early-career applicants a fairer route into the tech sector.

The platform uses AI-led assessments and structured interviews to verify candidate capabilities, focusing on skills and potential over background. This approach supports fair and inclusive hiring practices, aligning with the values of Tech Talent Bridge's supporters, including Amazon Web Services, IBM, and BT.

Rachel King, Partnership Development Director at TechSkills, stated that Tech Talent Bridge enables employers to tap into a wider talent pool, assessing candidates on skills and potential rather than background. This approach is seen as an important step towards building a more sustainable, inclusive, and dynamic tech ecosystem in the UK.

BT Group, committed to empowering emerging talent, is one of the supporters of Tech Talent Bridge. Liz Kingston, Senior Manager at BT Group, shares that their partnership with TechSkills and Day One provides personalized career guidance, employer connections, and expert support to help individuals unlock their full potential. BT Group believes that Tech Talent Bridge is a powerful step toward building a more inclusive and dynamic tech workforce.

Jenny Taylor MBE from IBM UK also supports the initiative, believing that Tech Talent Bridge helps connect growing businesses with exceptional candidates who can make an immediate impact. Abbie Savage from Amazon Apprenticeship Talent Acquisition also endorses the initiative as an important step towards building a more sustainable and inclusive tech ecosystem in the UK.

Tech Talent Bridge's matching technology is designed to make it easier for SMEs to find the talent they need to grow. Ricky Doyle, CEO of Day One, states that the initiative, in conjunction with TechSkills' employer network, is designed to make it easier for SMEs to find the talent they need to grow.

The Tech Talent Bridge initiative aims to strengthen the overall digital economy by helping SMEs reach qualified candidates. By providing a streamlined and affordable way to connect with pre-assessed candidates, the initiative is set to play a significant role in the UK's tech sector.

In 2024, UK employers received an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy, a 59% increase from the previous year. With the growing demand for tech talent, initiatives like Tech Talent Bridge are becoming increasingly important in bridging the skills gap and ensuring a sustainable and dynamic tech ecosystem in the UK.

Tech-focused network brings underrated technologists together with small and medium enterprises during intense competition among graduate job seekers