Schools challenge

Thursday 17 March marked the Grand Final of the third annual Deloitte TMT Predictions Schools Challenge: an initiative created to ‘plug the skills gap’ for our clients who report challenges in engaging sixth formers with the skills and interest to pursue careers in the Technology, Media or Telecommunications (TMT) sectors.

For the second time in three years, Maria Fidelis School were crowned winners, impressing the panel of expert judges from across the TMT industry with an innovative concept to take the capabilities of second-hand smartphones to deliver affordable education in developing countries.

Maria Fidelis school team with TMT Predictions Sponsor Partner, Sam Baker (left) and Global Head of TMT Research, Paul Lee (right).

The two runners up were Hazelwood Integrated College, from Belfast, and Milton Keynes Academy. Hazelwood came up with an idea of a mobile game to help teenagers better manage their finances, whilst MK Academy created virtual reality tours of universities to support Sixth Form students struggling with the financial costs of travelling to visit the universities where they wish to apply.

Milton Keynes Academy pitching their idea to the judges.

More about the challenge

In the challenge, teams of students from the Deloitte Access schools work with volunteer coaches from the TMT practice to create innovative business or product ideas, in response to a brief linked to the TMT Predictions. In February, these three schools qualified for the grand final after presenting their ideas to a more specialised group of judges who worked in each of the tech, media and telco sectors.

Image courtesy of Max Doelle, Kazendi, semi-final judge.

The winning teams from the qualifying round got back to work, further developing their ideas based on the feedback they had been given. In addition to their dedicated coaches, students had the opportunity to receive feedback from a member of the TMT learning team as well as Deloitte Digital to help prepare them for the final.

Grand final day

The students arrived at the Technology Studios, part of the Deloitte London campus and had the opportunity to have a tour of the innovative working space and also to speak to some of the Deloitte Digital practitioners to understand what they do. The students then headed over to the Deloitte Auditorium for some last minute practice before getting the opportunity, alongside the 110+ event attendees, to meet some innovative organisations and Social Enterprises operating in the TMT industry in our marketplace.

After the winning team had been announced in the Auditorium the students were taken for a surprise trip on the London Eye, an experience that will live as long in the memory as the skills that they have learnt from taking part in the challenge.

A full marketplace at the TMT Predictions Schools Challenge Grand Final.