Frequently Asked Questions

TechStart is a career development programme that helps young people from underrepresented backgrounds build the skills, confidence and industry connections they need to launch meaningful careers in tech and beyond.

Career Support (CG-GB CIC, trading as TechStart) is a Community Interest Company delivering employability programmes, mentoring and paid work experience across the UK.

Our programmes are open to young people aged roughly 16-30 who are looking for a route into work, whether they're leaving school, graduating from university, or currently not in education, employment or training.

Yes. Every TechStart programme is completely free for participants. Costs are covered by employer partners, grants and donations.

We run hybrid programmes with in-person sessions in London and remote-friendly cohorts across the UK. Placements can be on-site, hybrid or fully remote depending on the employer.

Head to our contact page and tell us a little about yourself. We'll get back to you within a few working days with next steps for the cohort that fits you best.

If you're between roughly 16 and 30 and want support getting into work, you're likely eligible. We prioritise young people facing the biggest barriers, but we look at everyone individually.

Placements through TechStart are paid at least the Real Living Wage. Some training sessions include travel and childcare bursaries too.

We work across software engineering, data, product, design, marketing, operations and customer success roles with employers ranging from early-stage startups to FTSE 250 companies.

Absolutely. Most of our participants join with no professional experience. The programme is designed to build that experience with you.

Yes. Every participant is matched with an industry mentor for the duration of the programme, plus group coaching and career workshops.

Programmes typically run for 12 weeks, with placements lasting from 3 to 12 months depending on the pathway and employer.

Yes. We offer flexible cohorts specifically designed to fit around college and university schedules.

The best thing you can do is encourage them to show up, ask questions and stay engaged. We'll keep you informed at key milestones if your young person wants us to.

Yes. All staff and mentors are DBS-checked, we have a full safeguarding policy, and we run regular check-ins with every participant.

Paid placements pay at least the Real Living Wage. Pre-placement training weeks are unpaid but often come with travel and childcare bursaries.

Yes. Use our contact form and select 'I'm referring someone' - we'll take it from there.

You get access to a pipeline of diverse, pre-screened, work-ready talent and a partnership that maps cleanly to ESG and CSR goals - without paying agency fees.

We scope the role with your team, shortlist candidates who match on skills and values, prep them for interviews, and support onboarding for the first 90 days.

Role scoping, curated shortlists, interview support, structured onboarding, and diversity and inclusion reporting for your team.

Placements typically run for 3, 6 or 12 months. Many convert to permanent roles.

Yes - and we encourage it. There are no placement or introduction fees when a young person converts to a permanent role.

Hiring through TechStart is free. Employers who want to sponsor a cohort, fund bursaries or run named scholarships can do so through our partnership programme.

We partner with schools and colleges to run talks, workshops and pathways into paid placements. Get in touch and we'll design something that fits your students.

Yes. We offer flexible cohorts and part-time placements designed to fit around study.

Yes - CV clinics, mock interviews, employer panels and industry-specific taster sessions, delivered on-site or remotely.

Careers leads can refer students through our contact form. We'll follow up with the young person directly and keep you in the loop where appropriate.

Through a mix of employer sponsorship, grant funding from foundations like the National Lottery Community Fund, and individual donations.

Yes. Sponsors can fund entire cohorts, named scholarships, bursaries or specific pathways - all with impact reporting aligned to UN SDGs 4, 8 and 10.

Get in touch through our contact page and we'll set up a 20-minute call to explore the right partnership shape for your organisation.

Yes. Every donation directly funds bursaries, equipment and mentoring for young people on the programme. Visit our donate page to give monthly or one-off.