The tech industry says it wants fresh talent, but too often the front door is blocked by credential filters, expensive training, and “entry-level” roles that somehow require years of experience.
Kayleigh Bateman sits down with Claudia Cohen, Director of La Fosse Academy, to challenge that broken logic and lay out a clearer, more human path into tech careers, especially for women and underrepresented groups.
We get into what inclusive hiring looks like when you actually mean it: assessing capability over pedigree, designing routes for career changers, and building confidence through real-world practice. Claudia shares why La Fosse Academy intentionally avoids CVs and instead uses a rigorous process to spot potential: problem-solving, collaboration, resilience, and the ability to take feedback. If you’ve ever looked at a job description and thought “I don’t tick every box,” this conversation reframes what employers should be optimizing for and what you should be optimising for, too.
We also talk about the fast-changing AI landscape and what it means for junior roles, upskilling, and tech apprenticeships. Claudia breaks down the three ways people respond to AI at work and why adapting early matters. Finally, we dig into the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why representation starts younger than most people think, and how advocates can open doors when you’re not in the room.
