A hacking event is being held to nurture talents needed by employers in the future.

The University of East London in the Newham borough and Microsoft have organised a hackathon event to help employees prepare for the workplace.

Students, academics, employers, education providers and community stakeholders will be gathering on April 24 at the Royal Albert Dock in East London to explore the future growth, sustainability and diversity of the talent pipeline in East London.

Participants will explore approaches to bridging skills gaps and how students and educationalists can meet employers’ skills needs while increasing workforce diversity and helping east London thrive through the 4th Industrial Revolution and beyond.

The most promising ideas will be developed and presented at the Royal Docks Education and Enterprise Festival on June 12 at the University’s Docklands Campus.

Vice Chancellor and President of the University of East London Professor Amanda Broderick said the hackathon is the first event in a series of initiatives planned by the university as part of its commitment to being a careers-focussed university.

She said: "As businesses embrace automation and AI, employers will need talent adept at new emerging digital-first skills. But advanced technologies often need complementary uniquely human skills and as educationalists, it is incumbent on us to ensure we foster not only the emerging skills but also softer skills including curiosity, creativity, empathy and communication.

"Another core focus for us is diversity in the workforce which remains a key issue. Diversity isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’, it is a driver of innovation, brand and performance and a real point of difference for those employers who want to attract and retain talent.

"As a careers-first university we will encourage the happy marriage of technological and human skills within a diverse workforce to help both businesses and their talent ready themselves for the opportunities of Economy 4.0."

Around 30 employers including 15 businesses from Newham and Tower Hamlets are due to attend alongside global corporations and businesses based on the UEL Campus Knowledge Dock Business Centre.