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CGI’s Young Dreamers programme connects students aged 12–14 from underserved communities with real-world STEM challenges, mentoring from professionals, and hands-on experiences to explore future careers. The initiative is designed to promote social mobility and help young people understand how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can shape the world around them.
Teaching vital skills
CGI Young Dreamers was created to give students direct exposure to the real-world applications of technology through challenges based on actual problems faced by CGI’s government clients. The goal was not just to teach tech skills, but to deliver an inclusive, school-wide experience that allowed every student to discover their potential.
The programme is built around four core judging criteria, which reflect the soft skills critical in all tech careers:
- teamwork
- presentation skills
- research
- creativity
Programme structure
The Young Dreamers journey is delivered in three stages:
-
Innovation days
Students form teams and tackle real STEM challenges set by CGI’s government clients, with support from CGI volunteers who run the innovation days at the schools.Mentoring
-
Mentoring
Finalists receive online coaching from CGI professionals to strengthen their ideas and develop both technical and soft skills.
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Final event
Finalists present their projects in a “Dragons’ Den”-style showcase at high-profile venues such as Lord’s Cricket Ground, Aston Villa Football Stadium and St James’ Park
Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to grow in reach and impact. In its first year, Young Dreamers supported children in three London schools. In 2024 and 2025, it expanded to include schools in Newcastle, the Midlands, Telford and London, with ever-more Government organisations participating to create a rich learning experience for students.
Students reported a 17% increase in their understanding of STEM careers, with over half leaving with a clearer picture of their future.
Since launching in 2022, CGI Young Dreamers has:
Reached
4,000+
students
Provided
500+
finalists with mentoring
Mobilised
150+
CGI volunteers
London
As our flagship event, CGI Young Dreamers London programme has been running for three years and goes from strength to strength. This year, Oaks Park High School, Chadwell Heath Academy and Abbs Cross Academy participated in Innovation Days with STEM briefs provided by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Cafcass, the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office. The regional final took place on 15 May at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where students showcased their solutions to panels comprised of CGI and the aforementioned government organisations.
Newcastle
Since 2024, CGI partnered with Kenton School, Walker Riverside Academy and Excelsior Academy. Students addressed challenges from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Newcastle City Council. Finalists presented ideas such as a VR job interview simulator and a financial literacy course creatively themed by the students around Pingu the Penguin at St James’ Park in March 2025.
Midlands
The 2024 final was held at the West Midlands Policing Museum. Pupils from Eden Girls’ School Birmingham, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy and John Willmott School proposed creative ideas including drink-spiking test kits, eco-greenhouses for schools, and a careers app for the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Telford
New to the programme in 2025, Charlton School (with around 450 pupils) took part in Innovation Day. Client briefs came from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), HMRC, Ofqual and the Department for Education (DfE). Selected teams progressed to represent the school at the final in May 2025, where interactive activities included VR, Sphero robots and a tower-building challenge.
Get involved!
Learn more about the CGI Young Dreamers programme or how your organisation can take part in 2026
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