The annual North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) Digital Conference is a unique opportunity to bring together leading national and international experts to explore the opportunities and challenges arising from the accelerating pace of digital transformation.

NW DEPTH is a key strand of activity progressed through the well-established strategic alliance of all four publicly funded tertiary education providers in the North West City Region. The North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) involving Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University (UU), North West Regional College (NWRC) and Donegal Education and Training Board has been working closely on a broad agenda encompassing skills pathways, innovation, research, and community engagement activities since 2018.

This conference is the second in a series of four conferences that form a key commitment within the NW DEPTH project which will be hosted each October alternating between venues on both sides of the border:

As digital technologies continue to reshape industries, workplaces and communities, the conference will provide a platform for discussion, collaboration and knowledge sharing on the trends that will influence the future of the cross-border North West City Region.

Whether you represent a large organisation, a small business, a start-up, a community enterprise, or are simply interested in developing your own digital skills and career opportunities, the conference offers valuable insights and networking opportunities for all.

Over the series of four annual conferences, the series will examine emerging digital developments and identify the key trends most relevant to the region's economic growth, workforce development and digital innovation over the medium to long term.

The aim is to build on the success of each conference and to assist in achieving the vision for the North West City Region as set out in the revised North West Strategic Growth Plan:

A Shared North West - connected, thriving, competitive and sustainable cross- border city region.

NW DEPTH started offering courses in earnest in Spring 2026, and 26 courses have now commenced across ATU, Ulster University, North West Regional College, and Donegal College of Further Education & Training (Donegal ETB). Together, more than 540 learners have enrolled on these programmes with more than120 learners completing programmes to date. The digital skills courses on offer provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities at all levels of the qualifications’ frameworks up to post-graduate level. Courses offered include micro-credentials and longer study programmes in areas such as IT skills, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, digital design and manufacturing, and industry certified courses. The start dates for these offerings are typically September/October and January/February each academic year with a small number of courses beginning outside of this timeframe. The target is to offer study opportunities directly relevant for modern employment to 2,000 learners where the final phase of recruitment will be in the 2028/29 academic year.

To find out more about NW DEPTH and the available study opportunities, visit www.mynwtec.com. Further information on individual courses and the application process is available through each partner’s NW DEPTH webpage: