Establishing the UK’s first Tech Town, fostering innovation in public services and developing digital skills
- Cisco and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have announced a new strategic collaboration to help increase AI adoption, and widen access to digital skills across the UK.
- Marking a year of progress towards Cisco’s pledge to help create inclusive, digital opportunity for people and communities across the UK & Ireland – growing its presence and impact in the regions, and improving the digital and AI skills of 100,000 additional people.
Cisco and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) today announced a new strategic collaboration that aims to use AI and advanced digital technologies to help drive economic growth, improve public services, and build digital skills nationwide.
The collaboration directly supports the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. It brings together Cisco’s technology expertise, skills programmes, and wider ecosystem with DSIT’s national policy initiatives.
“We believe a digital society that works for everyone isn’t out of reach. Neither is it the responsibility of one group of people or organisations. That is why collaboration matters. Today’s announcement marks a year of progress towards our commitment to help create a more inclusive, digital UK and Ireland, with a clear path to future impact.” said Sarah Walker, Chief Executive, Cisco UK & Ireland.
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: “Partnerships like this one with Cisco are exactly what will power the UK’s AI future. By combining world-class expertise with our ambition to upskill 10 million people by 2030, we can make sure that the benefits of AI aren’t just felt in boardrooms and tech hubs, but in classrooms, hospitals and high streets right across the country.”
Delivering on the UK & Ireland Manifesto
In June 2025, Cisco set out its UK & Ireland Manifesto: a commitment to help everyone benefit from a more digitally inclusive society. One year on, Cisco has delivered tangible progress across the three areas at the heart of that pledge; growing its presence in communities, developing digital skills, and activating its people and partners.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which outlines a framework through to 2030, aims to build on what has been achieved so far. Helping to address the gap between AI ambition and large-scale adoption, focusing on practical deployment rather than theoretical potential.
Accelerating AI Adoption: Establishing Barnsley as the UK’s first ‘Tech Town’
A key part of the collaboration between Cisco and DSIT is to further establish Barnsley as the UK’s first ‘Tech Town’. The initiative seeks to apply AI in real-world settings where infrastructure, public services, and skills come together.
The collaboration aims to identify projects that can leverage AI capabilities, Cisco technology and skills courses to support progress for Barnsley’s local economy and citizens. With an initial 18-month pilot phase, the aim is to create a blueprint that could deliver similar benefits in other parts of the UK.
Accelerating AI Innovation: For better public services and improved health outcomes
As part of the Tech Town initiative, through the Lister alliance, Cisco plans to explore the viability of a healthcare “Living Lab” within Barnsley to help public sector organisations, academia and industry partners work together on emerging technologies in real-world settings. The aim is to create an environment to co-produce solutions – initially focussed on improving how outpatient appointments are managed and the delivery of virtual care. Learnings are expected to be shared with other NHS trusts.
Expanding Access to Digital Skills: Preparing the next generation for an AI-enabled workforce
Cisco has joined the Government’s AI Skills Hub in a Strategic Collaboration supporting the nationwide ambition to help 10 million UK citizens access foundational AI courses by 2030. With 600,000 people in the UK & Ireland trained so far (100,000 in the last year alone), the Cisco Networking Academy will be central to this effort.
The MoU also strengthens support for the Government’s TechFirst programme, which aims to give one million secondary school students access to technology and AI learning experiences.
Cisco plans to contribute to these efforts through:
- At least 8,000 hours of employee volunteering over four years.
- Engagement with 9,000 students through programmes to inspire into tech careers.
- Work experience opportunities for 7,000 students across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
- Dedicated Cisco pathways placements for 150 Year 12 and Year 13 students who identify as female or non-binary, and a further 150 placements for Year 11 and Year 12 students.
- Over 60 university-level and 200 T Level placements.
Cisco also plans to explore research opportunities for PhD candidates and aim to expand access to the Cisco Networking Academy for schools and colleges.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Delivering on the UK & Ireland Manifesto in three key areas:
Growing presence in communities: Cisco has expanded its connection to communities across the UK and Ireland, with a focus on using technology, expertise and partnerships to support the people and organisations around it.
- In Birmingham, Cisco announced its presence in STEAMhouse and has since expanded collaboration in the region to engage the business community and local authorities.
- In Barnsley, Cisco announced its role with DSIT in the Tech Towns initiative, with the aim of creating a blueprint for tech towns nationwide.
- In Cardiff, Cisco has grown its presence with dedicated facilities in Spark and strategic advisory work with location government on AI.
- In Manchester, GM One is thriving and Cisco has overdelivered on social value contributions.
- In Ireland, Cisco is providing regional solutions grants to charities using technology platforms to connect surplus food with people in need.
- In Edinburgh, its collaboration with Abertay University is showcasing what real innovation in the health service could look like.
- Cisco also officially opened its new London office, a living showcase of Cisco technology and the first Cisco office globally to be designed with neurodiversity in mind.
Developing digital skills: Cisco continues to scale its skills programmes through partnerships and accessible learning pathways, from AI and cybersecurity to networking and work experience.
- Cisco has helped 100,000 people develop their skills through Cisco Networking Academy in the last year alone, the equivalent of five years of progress in one year and a significant step towards its target of one million learners in the UK by 2030.
- Cisco is collaborating with government on initiatives including AI Skills Boost and the AI Skills Hub to help more people gain foundational AI skills.
- Cisco has worked with more than 100 organisations to facilitate training and skills development through its apprenticeship and levy donation programme with Multiverse.
- Cisco launched Discover Tech to bring work experience in the technology industry to more young people, in more parts of the UK.
Activating the ecosystem of technology, partners and people: Cisco’s impact is amplified through its workforce, customers, partners and technology ecosystem. With nearly every internet connection in the UK and Ireland touching Cisco, the company is focused on connecting and protecting in the AI era while ensuring that progress is inclusive. In the last year alone, over 80% of Cisco UK & Ireland employees volunteered their time.
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