Digital Futures Cornwall is creating a pipeline of talent for Cornwall’s thriving tech sector

Project brings together 10 training delivery partners led by Truro and Penwith College.

  “I moved into tech because I was really passionate about how digital technology can be used to make people’s lives better.”   – Tanuvi Ethunandan, Product Manager at Cornish AI

Cornwall has the fastest growing tech sector in the south-west. This is creating an increasing demand for digital skills which cannot currently be met locally. Digital Futures is harnessing that growth and converting it into economic opportunity for the area by creating a pipeline of talent. And, while the Cornish tech sector is vibrant and expanding, it is also invisible to a large proportion of the local population.

The Digital Futures Cornwall partnership commissioned Newquay based, Idenna Creative, to run a campaign to increase awareness of digital innovation and excellence in Cornwall, and the opportunities it is creating. The intention is to show the people of Cornwall that there are jobs and training opportunities on our doorstep. That you can learn new skills, or develop existing ones, and earn a great wage, all without leaving this beautiful region. A key part of this message is to encourage those currently underrepresented in the technology sector to consider exploring new career pathways.

As part of this ongoing campaign, the team at Idenna Creative, chatted to Tanuvi Ethunandan, Product Manager at Cornish AI (artificial intelligence) company, Hertzian. Tanuvi outlines her path from starting out as chartered accountant, to founding her own geo-location technology company, and ultimately joining Hertzian. She speaks passionately about her love for Cornwall and why she feels it offers an ideal place for tech companies and digital careers to thrive.

Tanuvi says: “I moved into tech because I was really passionate about how digital technology can be used to make people’s lives better.

“The South West has got a fantastic opportunity, but what is really unique about Cornwall is that we have been at the cutting edge of technology.

“An unexpected advantage of working in tech in Cornwall is the fact you are not in a big city where you are one in a number. Here it is community driven, it is large enough so there is innovation happening and a lot of opportunities but small enough that people know each other. People support each other. It also means you can move a lot faster rather than try and find your way around.”

Read more about Tanuvi’s case study here and visit the Digital Futures Cornwall website to find out about training opportunities. You can also contact the team via email: digitalfutures@truro-penwith.ac.uk or call: 01872 305757.

Digital Futures Cornwall is made possible thanks to a £2m investment from the Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.