The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has revealed plans to boost the proportion of women in digital technology with £7m of investment to improve the talent pipeline.

The Digital Talent Programme will focus on helping young people in London acquire key skills they need to access the job market, through schemes such as apprenticeships and placements, in order to meet the needs of tech businesses in the city.

It forms part of the Mayor’s pledge to bolster the capital’s technology sector, which employs almost 200,000 workers across 40,000 businesses.

Funding from the London Local Enterprise Partnership and the European Social Fund will help to improve and create new learning opportunities, as well as training programmes and apprenticeships.

The initiative will work with industry organisations to deliver inspirational events, careers advice, role models and more to break down perceptions of tech being for boys.

Sadiq Khan said: “Our vibrant tech sector is globally renowned and the city is awash with thousands of tech innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing the latest apps and software and delivering economic prosperity for the city.

“However, it is vital that we nurture the next generation of digital enthusiasts so we can continue to provide our tech firms with home-grown talent.

“Our new scheme will help to ensure that this crucial sector continues to go from strength to strength. It will also look to address the factors that are often preventing young women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds and our more deprived communities from accessing tech jobs and ensure there is a level playing field when it comes to being a part of this hugely exciting part of our economy.”

Kathryn Parsons, co-founder and CEO of London technology education company DeCoded and a member of the Mayor’s new Business Advisory Board said: “There is a global war for talent taking place.

“Businesses are desperately seeking coders, data scientists, cyber security skills but also creative thinkers, problem solvers and communicators. We need to reimagine what education looks like.

“I am excited to see real investment into developing the next generation of talent in London. I believe that the UK can become the best place in the world for technology education.

“You won’t find technology talent, the next generation of superstars, mavericks and creators, where you expect to find them. It is vital that we make it for everyone.”

Londoners can register their interest for the Digital Talent programme here.