Kao Data - Community Impact Strategy 2026 - Flipbook - Page 6
2026 Community Impact Strategy | Local communities: Activities & objectives
Digital Futures
The Digital Futures Programme has been created
to help students develop the skills and knowledge
needed to prepare for a career in the digital industries,
in particular digital infrastructure at a time when there
is an unprecedented skills shortage.
•
Kao Data became a founding member of the
Programme, which supports the professional
Trafford and Stockport College Group
Kao SEED Fund
The Kao SEED Fund aims to provide 昀椀nancial support
to not-for-pro昀椀t community-led initiatives that drive
social and environmental development.
•
mentorship that will empower local projects focused
communities with skills for a mission-critical industry
on creating a positive impact in the surrounding
that underpins our modern world.
Positioned close to the UK’s largest data centre
cluster in Slough, UTC Heathrow has been
community
•
recognised by its peers for developing an awardwinning and advanced technical curriculum that
Through our regional funding pots, we offer
small packages of 昀椀nancial support and ongoing
education of students aged 14–19 and helps level up
•
6
•
We have recently announced a partnership with
Trafford and Stockport College Group, to ensure that
the town’s young people have the right skills and
experience for a fast-moving career in tech and AI.
Kao Data and the Trafford and Stockport College Group
are working together to develop a skilled, work-ready
community prepared for the growing opportunities within
data centre and digital infrastructure industries.
To do this we:
•
Host careers events: Organise events with the
The Kao SEED Fund provides a total funding pot of
local business community to inspire students and
£20k for each of the locations.
showcase pathways into technology focused careers
Not for pro昀椀t projects* are eligible to apply for
•
Shape the curriculum: Work with TSCG educational
re昀氀ects the needs of the local industrial and business
grants of between £500-£2.5k and must be able to
leaders to develop and align teaching materials and
landscape.
demonstrate they can deliver tangible value across
learning programmes with industry needs, including
one or more of our three funding areas: social,
sustainable and high-performance data technologies.
economic and environmental development (SEED).
•
Support skills recognition: Sponsor the TSCG
Employer Awards to celebrate apprentices and local
In its 昀椀rst year the Stockport fund had
employers driving innovation and investment in
65 applications for £137,000.
digital skills.
Interest in the fund prompted Kao
Data to increase its contribution by
50% to £30,000.
Above: A local school on a guided tour of our Harlow campus
