The UK government has published a Digital and Technologies Jobs Plan setting out how government and employers will work together to open more routes into digital and technology jobs, especially for young people. Published on 21 October 2026, the plan supports the Industrial Strategy commitment to develop jobs plans for priority growth sectors.

What the plan promises

Over the next decade, around 800,000 digital and technology roles are projected to need filling in sectors backed by the Industrial Strategy. Together with industry, the government's ambition is to open around 200,000 genuine entry-level jobs, including apprenticeships, over the same period — around 20,000 a year through a single Skills Deal for employers. The plan is organised in four parts: Inspire, Open, Deliver and Sustain.

What is not a job yet

The 200,000 figure is an ambition for future hiring, not a list of vacancies available now, and the 800,000 figure is a projection of roles needing to be filled, including replacements. Work experience, T Level industry placements and undergraduate routes are brought together under the Skills Deal, but only filled entry-level jobs, including apprenticeships, count towards the 200,000 ambition. Separately, TechFirst aims to reach one million young people with AI and technology learning by 2028, with more than 10,000 work experience and placement opportunities already committed by partners including Microsoft, Cisco, IBM and Arm.

What jobseekers should watch

For school leavers, graduates and career changers, the practical routes to watch are apprenticeships, T Level placements and entry-level roles registered through the Skills Deal, delivered locally with mayoral authorities and devolved governments. The government says progress will be tracked, with a stronger role for public procurement and dedicated support for small and medium-sized firms. Anyone interested should follow the plan's updates rather than treating the headline totals as immediate openings.