Published Monday 10 March 2025 at 14:02
Mums from across Blackburn with Darwen are the first in the country to take part in a pioneering data skills programme.
MUMS IN DATA (MIND) is part of an exciting new partnership between IN4 Group, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn College.
It gives mums and those with caring responsibilities access to cutting edge training to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the digital data industry.
Many of the jobs available in the ever-growing sector offer flexible working – perfect for those who have young children or others to care for.
The first cohort of mums to take part in the scheme came together for a special welcome to celebrate the start of the programme to coincide with International Women’s Day.
IN4 Group is one of the UK’s leading professional technology skills providers, headed up by proud Blackburnian Mo Isap.
He told the new recruits:
You are pioneers – our MUMS IN DATA (MIND) programme is a first in the world.
I want to see mums here in Blackburn with Darwen lead the way in an industry that offers exponential opportunities, this programme will help you do just that.
We want to create a movement with MIND – you are part of the first cohort to access this training and I want you to be a catalyst to inspire women right across the country.
Over the last four decades, Mo has built a hugely successful career in the technology industry, launching his first company MPG in 1996 – scaling it to be one of the UK’s largest digital print companies before going on to be Group Director at Hobs PLC.
He’s also made strides in education too, being a founding director of Star Academies – one of the UK’s highest-performing multi-academy trusts, which the borough’s two Tauheedul high schools are part of.
Since launching IN4, Mo’s team has helped more than 3,000 people successfully secure jobs in the technology industry through the training they offer.
Building on that success, in Blackburn with Darwen, the Council has successfully secured new Government funding to partner with IN4 to roll out:
- MEGA Hub
Available to every high school, this programme equips students with the skills needed for careers in digital tech. It builds on IN4’s already successful CyberFirst contracts with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of GCHQ.
- MEGA Scholarships
A UK first, this programme will award 50 scholarships to college and sixth-form students, providing the skills and experience needed to secure university places or degree apprenticeships.
- Modern Worker for the Modern Workplace (MWMW)
This free, AI-driven training initiative is available to businesses across the borough. It empowers them to understand how AI and modern technologies can drive productivity and growth in their business. MWMW includes expert-led masterclasses, workshops, and showcases.
This is all linked to the £5bn being invested in a new base for the National Cyber Force in neighbouring Salmesbury.
The partnership is looking to equip residents from across the borough, especially youngsters, with the skills they need to make the most of the opportunities that the NCF will bring to the borough and the region as a whole – cementing the North West’s position as the cyber centre of the UK.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
We are really pleased to be able to be offering this fully funded training for our residents.
Our mission as a council is to create a more prosperous borough while ensuring no one is left behind, this is a really good example of the work we are doing to help achieve that.
We have already rolled out pioneering new training for our youngsters and our businesses too so it’s fantastic to now also be offering something for mums.
I wish them all the very best.
At the event, hosted in the college’s Industry Collaboration Zone on Friday (March 7th), Denise shared her own story of her career journey that’s brought her to being the first female chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council.
To fit around parental and caring responsibilities, the MUMS IN DATA (MIND) course is a mix of online training and face-to-face sessions at the college.
Dr Fazal Dad CBE, Principal and Chief at Blackburn College, added:
The college is immensely proud to be part of this unique programme empowering mums into digital careers.
This further demonstrates the colleges deep rooted commitment in ensuring education truly empowers individuals to secure meaningful life changing jobs.
The College has recently invested over £1.5 million to upgrade digital technology facilities and resources to support data and digital learning supporting our community to be the most employable.
The uptake on this programme has been fantastic, we look forward to working with our partners and the business community to continue to innovate and grow programmes such as these.
You can find out more about IN4 Group at: in4group.co.uk