TechStart and Multiverse expand partnership to widen access to degree apprenticeships
TechStart and Multiverse expand partnership to widen access to degree apprenticeships
A West London employment programme and a leading apprenticeship provider have announced an expanded partnership aimed at helping more young people move into skilled work.
TechStart, which works with young people across London, will increase the number of participants enrolling on Multiverse courses, with a particular focus on digital and artificial intelligence training.
The move is designed to give young people practical work experience alongside recognised qualifications, funded in part through the Apprenticeship Levy.
Sam Liu, founder of TechStart, said the partnership reflects a shift away from traditional training routes.
“Too many young people are still being prepared for jobs that do not exist, or being kept in cycles of short-term placements,” he said. “This is about giving them real roles, real responsibility and access to qualifications that keep pace with how quickly technology is changing.”
Multiverse delivers work-based learning programmes with employers, combining paid roles with structured training. Its courses in areas such as data, software engineering and AI are designed to adapt rapidly to industry demand.
Alex Temple, from Multiverse, said the organisation had seen strong outcomes from its work with TechStart participants over the past two years.
“The cohort coming through TechStart are not just learners, they are already contributing in the workplace,” he said. “What this partnership does is formalise that pathway, so more young people can build careers while they learn.”
Under the expanded arrangement, participants will continue to be placed with small and medium-sized enterprises, while studying towards accredited qualifications. Larger organisations, including firms such as BT Group and Amazon Web Services, are expected to support the training through levy transfers.
TechStart said its model focuses on integrating young people into working environments from the outset, rather than separating education and employment.
Participants have previously taken part in international visits to technology hubs in Asia, including exposure to companies such as TSMC and Google, before returning to the UK to apply those experiences in local businesses.
The expanded partnership is expected to support the next intake of learners later this year, with both organisations signalling plans to scale further if additional employer backing is secured.
Industry observers say the approach reflects a broader trend towards employer-led training, as businesses seek talent with both technical skills and practical experience.
