Golden Valley, the landmark £1bn cyber development in Cheltenham, has launched a brand-new Skills Hub at a House of Commons reception.

The flagship innovation and technology development is planned for land adjacent to GCHQ, the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency. It is set to strengthen the UK's leadership in cyber, AI, quantum technologies and secure communications, supporting national security, economic resilience and industry expansion.

The Skills Hub is a brand-new network created by Golden Valley developer HBD, Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire College, University of Gloucestershire and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The initiative will create a pipeline for vital digital and cyber skills, which will cement Gloucestershire's position as the capital of the UK's security industry and provide careers and training opportunities for new talent.

Its first creation is a groundbreaking new app called FutureCraft, developed by cloud provider, AWS and the Skills Hub partners. The app identifies young people with natural cyber and digital ability and requires players to solve a number of challenges and puzzles designed to test pattern spotting, problem solving and analytical thinking.

Currently in early-stage development, the app will eventually be rolled out to schools and colleges via the Gloucestershire Careers Hub. Young people achieving top scores will be offered one-to-one support in accessing training pathways to best nurture their talent.

Max Wilkinson MP for Cheltenham, who hosted the reception, said: "To make sure that we have a talent pipeline, we need to ensure that the education system is working well. One of the things that's been missing in Cheltenham for a long time is that pipeline of people coming through, perhaps growing up and then completing education in Cheltenham and getting jobs in the region.

"Putting that together is something that we're starting to do. Gloucestershire College is performing a key role, and the university has repointed itself away from some of the more traditional courses, towards this key opportunity. I'm extremely proud of the work that's going on at the university, at the college and that Cheltenham Borough Council is doing."

Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: "Golden Valley will play an important role in nurturing the skills we need to strengthen the UK's capabilities and leadership in emerging technologies such as cyber security and AI. The new Skills Hub will play a key role in delivering our objectives, helping to ensure that we are creating and attracting the best talent to join the UK's growing national security and defence sector."

Cllr Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "This brand-new Skills Hub will provide a strong network for vital career development and opportunity. I am thrilled that, as part of a strong partnership, we are delivering such an important and innovative scheme.''

Dame Clare Marchant, DBE, vice chancellor of University of Gloucestershire, said: "We are proud to be at the heart of this exciting and transformational initiative, which is key to unlocking the globally significant opportunity that Golden Valley offers. As the connected university, we are dedicated to equipping the region with the right mix of skills to drive the jobs, growth and innovation that will secure Golden Valley's place on the world stage."

Developer HBD has secured outline planning consent for circa 1 million sq ft of prime commercial space at Golden Valley, including IDEA, the new 160,000sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre referred to in the government's 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy, as well as 576 residential units of various tenures, supporting Cheltenham's housing needs.

Once complete, the 200-ha scheme will provide around 2,500 new homes and 1.25millionsq ft of commercial space, while supporting the creation of almost 12,000 jobs.