50 Oldham students awarded Greater Manchester’s first MEGA Scholarships hosted by FCHO

Oldham has become the first region in Greater Manchester to award 50 young people with landmark MEGA Scholarships, opening the door to future careers in cyber and technology.

The pioneering scholarships from the MEGA (Motivated, Educated, Generation with Ambition) Hubs programme, developed by professional technology training and skills provider IN4 Group and funded by Oldham Council, were officially launched at a celebration event hosted by FCHO on the 12 September.

The 50 successful students, from Oldham College, North Chadderton Sixth Form, Crompton House Sixth Form, The Blue Coat Sixth Form College, and Oldham Sixth Form College, each received a commemorative plaque and MEGA goodie bag to mark the achievement.

The launch followed an earlier assessment centre event, where 84 students from across Oldham took part in a competitive day of tasks, including coding challenges, responding to a ransomware attack, soft skills development, and speed networking with industry professionals, to secure their scholarship place.

As part of the programme, each scholarship student will receive a £1,000 bursary, mentoring, workplace visits, hackathons, industry placements, and the option of undertaking a cyber security qualification, counting towards UCAS points, or industry-recognised Microsoft and AWS qualifications. They will also gain unique exposure to some of the world’s leading employers, including KPMG UK, Northrop Grumman, CGI, BT, QinetiQ, Roke, and Energus, building vital skills and networks to prepare them for high-value digital careers.

The Oldham MEGA Hub is part of IN4 Group’s wider blueprint to inspire the next generation of digital talent, improve academic attainment, and create local pathways into high-value careers. To date, 543 students in Oldham have been engaged through MEGA Days, the Super Curricular Club, and the MEGA Scholarship programme. Of these, 37 per cent are female and 47 per cent are from ethnic minority backgrounds, with all 15 secondary schools in the borough involved in MEGA Hubs activity.

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, said: “It’s a privilege to be here for the launch of the MEGA Hubs Scholarship programme. We want young people in Oldham to have access to opportunities that build confidence, open doors, and help them realise their full potential. This programme does exactly that, and it’s fantastic to see First Choice Homes Oldham partnering with IN4 Group to support pathways into future careers for young people across the borough.

“It’s clear FCHO is moving in a new direction, one that’s rooted in Oldham and driven by a genuine commitment to social purpose. That kind of partnership is exactly what we need to make a lasting difference in our communities.”

Lauren Monks, Director: CyberFirst and MEGA Hubs at IN4 Group, said: “This is a landmark moment for Oldham. Being the first region in Greater Manchester to launch MEGA Scholarships demonstrates the shared commitment from across the public and private sectors to develop a robust and skilled future workforce. These 50 students are trailblazers. They are not only developing tech and cyber skills that are in huge demand, but also building the confidence, resilience, and networks that will carry them into successful futures.

“With the support of First Choice Homes Oldham, we are proud to invest in the borough’s young people and create pathways into high-value careers that keep talent rooted in place while opening up national and global opportunities.”

Mark Gifford OBE, chief executive of First Choice Homes Oldham, added: “Hosting this programme was an honour and an opportunity for First Choice Homes Oldham. It shows we take our role as an anchor organisation within the borough seriously, alongside our commitment to double the number of apprentices within our business.

“Supporting young people to connect with employers, access mentorship, and explore meaningful career pathways is a powerful way to invest in Oldham’s future. We’re proud to play our part in helping our young people in Oldham.”

Ruwaida Yousef, Oldham Sixth Form College student, said: “I found computer science really challenging, but I was determined to get better. The more I revised and explored the subject, the more it started to click, and I actually began to enjoy it. That helped me discover a real passion for cyber security, especially as a young woman in STEM. My work experience with CyberFirst and MEGA Hubs opened my eyes to the exciting roles out there, like ethical hacking, and the way the field is constantly evolving. It’s made me even more motivated to pursue a career in cyber.”