Hiking for impact: Empowering the next generation of data professionals

At Data Literacy Academy, we don’t just talk about closing the data skills gap, we take actions towards achieving it.

On Friday 7th March 2025, our team took on the challenge of hiking 20 miles across the Edale Circular Skyline to raise money for The Data Inspiration Group and their mission to guide the next generation towards rewarding careers in data. But it wasn’t about the distance, it was about the impact.

Data literacy is no longer optional, it is a critical capability for the future which 82% of employees now expect from all their employees and potential recruits. Therefore, it is more important than ever to empower younger generations with the necessary data knowledge and skills to flourish in their later careers. Because data, even if it doesn’t seem like it, plays an important role in any job. Every mile we walked represented our dedication to achieving a shared vision to empower the next generation with data confidence and career readiness.

The ‘why’ behind the walk

This wasn’t just a team challenge or fundraiser, it was part of a bigger picture.

At Data Literacy Academy, we work with enterprise businesses day-in and day-out to empower org-wide data literacy and encourage data-driven decision-making to become the norm. But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also want to give back to the community as much as we possibly can. As we grow, we are committed to helping everyone discover what is possible with data. Especially those who may not realise the doors it can open.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Digdata. Their mission aligns perfectly with our core values and we are always looking for ways to give back to the wider community. It was the perfect partnership.

Who are Digdata?

Digdata is an initiative created by the Data Inspiration Group, designed to connect students, educators, and professionals and inspire young minds. Their goal? To foster a passion for data literacy early on and unlock curiosity, confidence, and capability in young people, guiding them towards the limitless career opportunities available.

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"Empowering students with digital and data skills is no longer optional—it’s essential. DigData initiatives provide the knowledge, hands-on experience, and industry insights needed to develop future-ready talent, ensuring the next generation is equipped to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world." - Rachel Keane, Chief Data Inspirer at The Data Inspiration Group

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Like us, Digdata focus on more than just the hard, technical skills. Their approach is focused on storytelling, problem-solving, analysis, and sparking a passion for possibility. It’s about giving students the tools to navigate a world powered by data and helping them understand how data is increasingly embedded across every industry and career path.

Data literacy is for everyone. Digdata are dedicated to making this statement a reality, and so are we.

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The Big Day: What happened?

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Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised a whopping £5,165 for this incredible cause. These donations went directly towards funding a high-impact CV and Mock Interview Day at King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy in Birmingham on Wednesday 2nd April.

This wasn’t just a typical careers talk. It was a jam-packed day that inspired over 100 Year-12 girls.

The day consisted of:

• Workshops to craft standout CVs
• Job spec presentations to explain a variety of jobs that might not appear to be data-driven but use data on a regular basis
• One-on-one mock interviews with professional feedback.
• Raising awareness of different data careers, even for those not on traditional STEM pathways.
• Building confidence in their existing skills.
• Connecting them with real professionals from the industry.

The majority of these students are first-generation university or apprenticeship candidates and this school is located in a deprived area without a dedicated careers budget. That’s why this day matters. It’s about showing them the “power of the possible,” especially in sectors like data where women are still massively underrepresented.

This day will contribute towards the school meeting several Gatsby Benchmarks, which will support both their students and the school’s reputation as a careers-focused institution. Most importantly, we’ll be helping girls believe that data is something for them rather than something to be afraid of.

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Why is this so important?

As technology continues to evolve, data has become the driving force behind transformations across many industries. Therefore, there is an increasing pressure to ensure workforces are data-literate. Data is no longer the sole responsibility of data professionals and it is important to recognise this shift and upskill teams accordingly so they can work confidently with data.  And this shouldn't start when people enter the workforce, but awareness needs to be driven before that.

The data industry is still predominantly male but data is relevant to and impacts everyone. We have a responsibility to dispel the stigma that surrounds the data industry and break down any barriers that prevent women from thriving as data professionals. Data isn’t just about maths or coding, it requires storytelling, collaboration, and critical thinking. Reducing the taught fear associated with data is an essential step to helping individuals realise the value of data and feel confident using data on a daily basis.

By supporting Digdata and co-hosting this event, we’re helping make data literacy less intimidating and more accessible to the younger generations of potential data professionals.

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And to wrap up, a shout out to everyone who contributed to make both days happen. Gratitude to everyone who did the heavy lifting of planning and coordinating this impactful event: Zoë Owen, Monica Kilminster, Desi Ivanova, Dani Arnold and Jemima Kelly!