Tech-focused networking service connects underestimated IT professionals with small and medium-sized enterprises during intense graduate job market competition

In an effort to address the challenges faced by smaller employers in attracting and hiring early-career tech talent, Tech Talent Bridge has been launched. This innovative platform, a collaboration between TechSkills and Day One, aims to make high-quality talent accessible to all employers, not just the largest ones.

The platform, which is backed by the TechSkills Employer Network, includes companies such as Amazon Web Services, IBM, and BT, among others. It focuses on skills and potential over background, supporting fair and inclusive hiring practices and widening access to diverse talent.

Rachel King, Partnership Development Director at TechSkills, stated that Tech Talent Bridge enables employers of all sizes to tap into a wider talent pool, with candidates assessed on skills and potential rather than background. This approach is particularly beneficial for many smaller employers who often face challenges in attracting early-career tech talent.

The platform uses AI-led assessments and structured interviews to verify candidate capabilities. This process ensures that employers receive pre-assessed candidates for tech roles, streamlining the recruitment process and making it more affordable for SMEs.

Liz Kingston, Senior Manager, Enabling Functions, Talent Acquisition at BT, 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 is committed to empowering emerging talent to help them thrive wherever their careers take them.

Jenny Taylor MBE, IBM UK Early Professional Leader, believes that Tech Talent Bridge helps connect growing businesses with exceptional candidates who can make an immediate impact. Ricky Doyle, CEO of Day One, states that the platform created by Day One and TechSkills makes it easier for SMEs to find the people they need to grow.

According to the SME Skills Horizon: 2025 report, nine in ten SMEs in England report skills gaps within their business, most commonly at entry level (32%) and in specialist roles (29%). The initiative is therefore timely, as it aims to help SMEs recruit faster and more effectively, while giving early-career applicants a fairer route into the tech sector.

In 2024, UK employers received an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy, a 59% increase from the previous year (Institute of Student Employers Student Recruitment Survey 2024). By helping SMEs reach qualified candidates, the initiative strengthens the overall digital economy.

Abbie Savage from Amazon Apprenticeship Talent Acquisition states that the initiative is an important step towards building a more sustainable and inclusive tech ecosystem in the UK. Liz Kingston believes that this initiative is a powerful step toward building a more inclusive and dynamic tech workforce across the industry.

In conclusion, Tech Talent Bridge is a valuable resource for SMEs seeking to recruit early-career tech talent in a fair and efficient manner. By focusing on skills and potential over background, the platform supports inclusive hiring practices and widens access to diverse talent, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive tech workforce.