Celebrating the Year 8 Girls Competition and Co-producing a More Inclusive Future 

As we celebrate the success of our 2026 Year 8 Girls Competition, we are also taking a broader look at inclusion in tech. This event marked not only a milestone in supporting girls into cyber, but the start of a wider conversation about how we create more opportunities for all young people facing barriers across Wales.

Recognising Achievement and Potential 

Recently, we were proud to host our Year 8 Girls Competition celebration event, delivered in collaboration with the Women in Cyber 2026 conference.

This year’s celebration marked a significant achievement for CyberFirst Wales, bringing together 80 girls from every corner of the country to take part in a competition designed to inspire their continued journey into computing and, ultimately, Computer Science GCSE. Their enthusiasm and talent were matched by the remarkable energy and support in the room, with more than 120 delegates from academia, industry and government joining the event. The scale of participation and the collective commitment to championing young people made the day a standout success, demonstrating the growing momentum behind creating a more diverse and confident tech talent pipeline for Wales.

From the confidence shown by participants to the encouragement offered by mentors and role models, the day reflected exactly why initiatives like this matter. Creating spaces where girls can explore cyber security in a supportive and inspiring environment continues to be a vital part of building a more diverse future workforce. 

Why Representation Still Matters 

At CyberFirst Wales, this work remains a priority. Encouraging more women and girls into cyber and wider technology roles is essential if we are to close long standing gaps in representation and ensure the sector benefits from a wider range of perspectives. 

Women still make up a minority of the UK tech workforce, with figures often cited at around a quarter of roles. At senior levels, representation drops further. This highlights the importance of sustained, targeted action to support girls and young women into the pipeline and beyond. 

Broadening the Conversation on Inclusion 

However, as we look ahead and begin the transition towards TechFirst, we are also reflecting more broadly on inclusion. If we are serious about widening access to opportunities in technology, we must consider all those who face barriers to entry, not only those defined by gender. 

Only 9% of tech employees come from lower socio-economic backgrounds and earn less than their peers from affluent backgrounds

There is growing evidence that some groups continue to be left behind in education and career progression. For example, recent reports state white working-class boys remain among the lowest performing groups academically at key stages in the UK education system. This is a complex and sensitive issue, but it underlines an important point. Opportunity in tech must be inclusive of everyone who needs support, regardless of background. 

Building on What We Already Do 

This does not mean shifting focus away from girls and young women. We also already work with a wide range of groups facing different barriers, but we recognise there is more to do. It means building on our existing approach so that no group is overlooked. Our ambition is to create a programme that recognises different starting points and actively works to remove barriers wherever they exist. 

Designing the Future Together 

As part of this commitment, we have commissioned the Co-production Network for Wales to support us in designing the next phase of our programme. Their approach places collaboration at the centre, ensuring that young people, educators, industry and communities all have a voice in shaping what comes next. 

During the celebration event, the Co-production Network team facilitated workshops with stakeholders from across the ecosystem. These sessions created space for honest conversations about access, representation and what meaningful inclusion should look like in practice. Importantly, they also allowed us to hear directly from young people about their experiences, aspirations and the challenges they face. 

From Insight to Action 

This work marks the beginning of a wider process. By co-designing future programmes with those they are intended to support, we aim to create initiatives that are more relevant, more accessible and more impactful. 

The Year 8 Girls Competition celebration was a reminder of what is possible when opportunity meets encouragement. It also served as a moment to pause, reflect and think bigger about the role we can play in shaping a more inclusive tech ecosystem across Wales. 

As we move forward into this next chapter, our focus remains clear. We will continue to champion girls and young women in cyber, while also working to ensure that anyone facing barriers has the chance to explore, engage and succeed in technology. 

Because building the future workforce is not just about increasing numbers. It is about making sure everyone has a fair opportunity to be part of it.