AtkinsRéalis has initiated a groundbreaking recruitment event through the 2025 Digital Skills Festival.

• The hackathon will offer five permanent roles to the winning team, showcasing creative talent over traditional qualifications.
• Participants will employ technologies such as robotics and drones to tackle real-world challenges.
• This initiative aims to diversify tech recruitment and attract a wide range of participants.
• The festival will also feature various events to strengthen industry-education connections.

AtkinsRéalis, a prominent engineering and nuclear services company, is spearheading a novel recruitment initiative as part of the 2025 Digital Skills Festival in Manchester. The firm is conducting an ‘industry-first’ hackathon, geared towards identifying top tech talent in the North West. This event promises five permanent roles to the winning team, prioritising creativity and innovative problem-solving skills over conventional academic qualifications.

This unique recruitment opportunity invites participants to deploy cutting-edge technologies, including robotics, augmented reality, gaming engines, and drones, to devise practical solutions to pressing real-world problems. The #HackaFuture hackathon challenges traditional hiring norms by valuing diverse skill sets and backgrounds, rather than strictly engineering qualifications.

Sam Stephens, head of digital for AtkinsRéalis’ nuclear division, emphasised the dynamic environment within the digital teams as they seek varied expertise to propel technological advancements. He stated, ‘Our digital teams work in dynamic and fast-paced environments, and we’re looking for a whole mix of skill sets and backgrounds to develop our technology solutions. We have over 500 patented solutions and the winning teams will be at the heart of driving innovation to power a clean energy future.’

Scheduled for early February 2025, the hackathon forms part of the larger Digital Skills Festival, sponsored by AtkinsRéalis. It offers a substantial platform not only for participants to gain employment but also for them to engage with career mentors and access future job opportunities within the company. The winners will secure positions as digital and technology specialists in central Manchester, with attractive salaries and benefits.

The Digital Skills Festival itself is poised to be a comprehensive event with numerous new activities, including a day dedicated to tech competitions for young students and a re-envisioned session focusing on women in digital fields. Moreover, ‘Talent Day’ aims to attract nearly 2,000 job seekers and 40 leading tech companies, highlighting the region’s robust tech landscape. According to Katie Gallagher OBE, the managing director of Manchester Digital, ‘Manchester is home to over 86,000 tech professionals and this festival is the perfect platform to reflect and focus on the workforce that we need to build for the future.’

This innovative hackathon signifies a step forward in tech recruitment, fostering creativity and diversity within the industry.