Blackburn with Darwen pupils first in the country to complete pioneering MEGA Scholarship

Students in Blackburn with Darwen have become the first in the country to complete a pioneering new digital and technology scholarship scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council partnered with IN4 Group in January 2025 to roll out the first-of-its-kind MEGA Scholarships to college and sixth form students from right across the borough.

The prestigious scholarships build on the already successful MEGA Hub programme, with pupils from every secondary school across the two towns having the opportunity to be at the forefront of developing digital skills.

Over the last 18 months, MEGA Scholars have had rare access to global tech firms and industry mentors, including KPMG UK and Accenture, while developing valuable skills to help give them the edge in the ever-growing cyber security industry.

To mark their achievements, a celebration event was held on Wednesday, where the young people competed in a hackathon before being recognised with certificates and special awards.

Speaking after the event, CEO of IN4 Group and proud Blackburnian, Mo Isap OBE, said: “There has never been a scholarship like this one in the country – the young people who have graduated from this course are pioneers, they are unique.

“The MEGA programme has been designed to inspire the next generation of digital leaders by providing equal access to opportunities, regardless of background.

“We are working with billion-pound companies to offer these opportunities – opportunities that we haven’t seen before and this is momentous for Blackburn with Darwen and our young people, our future.

“We want to motivate our youngsters, particularly those at risk of disengaging from education, to discover their passion and realise their potential.

“By removing barriers and offering practical pathways into the tech industry, we’re building a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline that drives real change for the future.”

The two-year course is aimed at college and sixth form students, and with support from the council, an impressive 50 MEGA Scholarships were made available through a competitive application process.

The Council’s investment is linked to the Government’s relocation of the National Cyber Force to neighbouring Samlesbury – a move that could create thousands of new jobs in the tech industry and cement the region’s position as the cyber centre of the UK.

And it has been confirmed that, given the overwhelming success of the scheme, a new intake will begin in September 2026.

The extensive programme covers everything from mock assessment centres to workplace visits and mentoring with industry professionals, plus support with applications.

Building on this success, Blackburn with Darwen continues to lead the way as a new Government-backed AI programme, including the council and led by IN4, will launch this summer across the North West.

The aim of this trailblazing new programme is to prevent young people from becoming NEET – not in education, employment or training – by creating a pathway at 16 with guaranteed AI apprenticeships.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Julie Gunn, helped present the certificates at the event, hosted in the Fuse Box at Blackburn Youth Zone.

She said: ‘’We’re incredibly proud that, through our partnership with the IN4 Group and with the support of Blackburn College, Blackburn with Darwen is home to the first-ever MEGA Hub in the country and the first-ever MEGA Scholarships too.

‘’I was even more proud to be able to attend the event and personally congratulate the young people who have grasped this opportunity with both hands and made the very most of it – leaving a lasting impression on the course leaders and their industry mentors.

‘’To hear that they are going on to study at top universities, including the likes of Cambridge, and have secured top degree apprenticeships is just incredible and I wish them all the very best for their futures.’’

The MEGA Programme introduces a unique out-of-school-hours super-curriculum aimed at high-prior-attaining Key Stage 3 students. Through Government-backed funding, Blackburn with Darwen Council rolled it out to every high school in the borough.

This initiative has been designed to extend the reach of the National Cyber Security Centre’s CyberFirst Programme.

The groundbreaking initiative sets a new benchmark for education-industry collaboration, equipping young talent with the tools and opportunities needed to excel in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

By aligning with local authorities and leveraging the expertise of IN4 Group and its industry partners, the MEGA Programme demonstrates how targeted interventions can unlock potential and align young people with the opportunities available in the region.