SECG Partners with Sharp to Help Find the Next Generation of Innovators

Technology Students Participate in Groundbreaking Competition Held at Microsoft HQ

Seven of our brightest technology students have taken part in a once in a lifetime competition, allowing them to engage with real-world business challenges, develop innovative solutions using Microsoft technology, and present their ideas to industry professionals.

The “Power Platform Challenge”, which is hosted by Sharp, aims to showcase the future of technology, discovering and nurturing talent along the way, by allowing young students to present their own ideas and solutions.  Designed to inspire creativity and real-world problem solving, the competition can also act as a career launchpad: Luca Jaworski, who won the competition last year, has since joined Sharp as an Apprentice Technical Engineer!

How Does the Competition Work?

All student entries were initially reviewed by their lecturers, with the top submissions sent to Sharp for evaluation. A panel of Sharp leaders then carefully assessed each proposal, and a shortlist of seven candidates was selected to present their solutions in person at Microsoft HQ in London.  Each student was asked to consider a variety of criteria when approaching the challenge, including:

• Choosing an industry they were passionate about
• Identifying key challenges within that sector
• Showing key industry insights and challenges
• Demonstrating the value and benefits of their proposed solution

Using Microsoft’s Power Platform, the students presented their ideas through a detailed PowerPoint deck, highlighting how their applications were real world solutions that could make a difference. The presentations covered a wide range of sectors, including a Healthcare app for patient management and real-time data tracking to improve care and efficiency, and a Construction app to manage the hiring of equipment across the industry.

A Worthy Winner!

The panel unanimously agreed that the most innovative and well-thought-out presentation came from Hayden Wallis, who developed a tool-sharing app aimed at transforming how equipment is accessed and utilised across industries. Hayden’s concept stood out for its practicality, scalability, and clear value proposition.

Ben Welton, Education and Managed Services Director at Sharp UK, commented “For many of the students, this was one of their first experiences presenting in a professional setting - and they did a brilliant job. The level of thought, research, and confidence they brought to the room was truly impressive.”

John Newton, College Principle, South Essex College, said "Partnering with Sharp on this Power Platform Challenge has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our students and staff alike. What makes this initiative so special is the genuine investment Sharp has made in nurturing young talent. We are proud to collaborate with Sharp and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”

Winner, Hayden Wallis, added "I put a lot of hard work into preparing for this, so it was incredibly rewarding to present in front of Sharp’s senior leaders. I’m grateful for the opportunity and honoured to have been selected as the winner of the Sharp project.”

Find out more about the Digital Production T Level course.