Google’s opening a huge new tech hub in London for training the UK in digital skills

Google is opening the doors to a huge new space in London designed to give the nation training in vital digital skills.

The Academy will offer lessons to anyone, from schoolchildren to chief executives, at the 40,000 sq ft space in Victoria with input from Google staff and other industry experts.

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The opening comes amid London Tech Week and after the tech company’s promise to offer digital skills training to everyone in the UK for free. It is also ploughing more than £1bn into a new headquarters in Kings Cross which is due to open next year, creating up to 3,000 new jobs by 2020.

“London’s ambition to grow, harness new technologies, and build the brightest and best companies has been a constant over the last decade,” said Google UK managing director Ronan Harris.

“When the tech community with industries ranging from fashion and music to automotives and artificial intelligence have worked in partnership with government, the mayor’s office and passionate communities supporting startups and scaleups, new jobs have been created and London has shown it can lead the way in a competitive global environment.”

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Deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal said: “The capital is already home to some of the best tech and creative minds in the world but we must continue to ensure that our city’s workforce has the right skills to meet the jobs of tomorrow.”

The space will this week host the Leaders in Tech conference with speakers including Sir Martin Sorrell, Eileen Burbidge and Harris as part of London Tech Week. The Academy is also working with the Prince’s Trust to run a video training programme.