Terms and Conditions for TechFirst Women's Programme Website and Applicant Tracking System

Last Updated: October 2026

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the TechFirst Women's Programme website and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

The TechFirst Women's Programme is delivered by Plexal and its programme partners ("we", "our" or "us"). References to "you" or "your" mean any user of the Platform, including candidates, employers, partners and visitors.

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not use the Platform.

2. About the programme

TechFirst Women's Programme is designed to help 300 women across the UK move into paid jobs in six high-growth technology sectors, including AI, cyber security, engineering biology, quantum technologies, semiconductors and advanced communications. It's part of the government's broader TechFirst campaign – a £187m investment in national skills.

The programme supports women at different stages of their careers, including those looking to transition into technology, return to work after a career break or progress within the sector. Through skills development, mentoring, career support and employer matching, participants gain access to real employment opportunities and ongoing support to help them succeed.

For employers, TechFirst Women's Programme creates access to skilled women with transferable experience, widening talent pipelines and helping address skills shortages in strategically important technology sectors.

3. Eligibility

To register for and participate in the programme, you must:

• Provide accurate and complete information.
• Meet any eligibility criteria published for the programme.
• Keep your registration details up to date.
• Use the Platform in accordance with these Terms.

We reserve the right to verify information provided as part of your application and may remove accounts containing inaccurate, misleading or fraudulent information.

4. Candidate accounts

Candidates may create profiles within the ATS to:

• Submit applications.
• Upload CVs and supporting documents.
• Manage job applications.
• Update profile information.
• Receive communications regarding opportunities and programme activities.

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• Keeping profile information accurate and up to date.
• Ensuring all uploaded content belongs to you or that you have permission to use it.

5. Employer accounts

Employers may use the Platform to:

• Register organisations.
• Post employment opportunities.
• Review matched candidate profiles.
• Communicate with candidates where permitted.
• Participate in programme activities.

Employers agree to:

• Provide lawful, genuine and non-discriminatory employment opportunities.
• Comply with applicable employment, equality and data protection legislation.
• Use candidate information solely for legitimate recruitment and hiring purposes.
• Maintain confidentiality of candidate information.

We reserve the right to remove job postings or suspend employer accounts where opportunities are found to be misleading, unlawful or inconsistent with the programme's objectives.

6. Candidate matching

The Platform may use information provided by candidates and employers to facilitate matching activities. AI is not used for the matching process.

We do not guarantee:

• The suitability of any candidate for a role.
• The suitability of any role for a candidate.
• Successful placement outcomes.
• Interview offers or employment.

Employers remain responsible for their own recruitment decisions, assessments and hiring processes.

7. User content

You retain ownership of information and materials you submit to the Platform.

By submitting information, you grant us permission to:

• Store, process and manage that information for programme delivery purposes.
• Share information with authorised programme partners, employers and service providers where necessary and in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
• Use anonymised and aggregated data for reporting, monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement purposes.

You must not upload content that:

• Is false or misleading.
• Infringes intellectual property rights.
• Contains malicious software or harmful code.
• Is discriminatory, offensive, unlawful or abusive.

8. Data Protection and Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is governed by the TechFirst Women's Programme Privacy Policy.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that:

• Personal data may be processed to administer and deliver the programme.
• Personal data may be shared with authorised programme delivery partners, employers and service providers where necessary.
• Certain special category data and Equal Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) monitoring information may be processed with your explicit consent where required by law.
• Recruitment information may be processed for job matching and employment application purposes.

Further information is available in our Privacy Policy.

9. Intellectual property

All intellectual property rights in the Platform, website content, branding, logos, programme materials, text, graphics and design are owned by or licensed to us.

You may:

• View content for personal and professional use associated with the programme.
• Download documents expressly made available for download.

You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit content without permission.
• Remove copyright or ownership notices.
• Reverse engineer or copy Platform functionality.

10. Availability of the platform

We aim to provide uninterrupted access to the Platform but do not guarantee:

• Continuous availability.
• Error-free functionality.
• Compatibility with all devices or browsers.

We may:

• Modify features.
• Carry out maintenance.
• Suspend access.
• Withdraw parts of the Platform where necessary.

11. Third-Party services

The Platform may include links to third-party websites, applications or services.

We do not control or accept responsibility for:

• Third-party content.
• Third-party recruitment processes.
• External websites.
• External services or technologies.

Accessing third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms.

12. Prohibited use

You must not:

• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Platform.
• Upload malicious software.
• Interfere with Platform security.
• Use automated scraping tools without permission.
• Misrepresent your identity.
• Submit fraudulent applications.
• Use the Platform for unlawful activities.

Any breach may result in suspension or termination of access.

13. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded by law.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for:

• Loss of employment opportunities.
• Recruitment decisions made by employers.
• Business interruption.
• Loss of earnings or income.
• Loss of data caused by user actions.
• Indirect or consequential losses.

The Platform is provided on an "as available" basis without warranties of uninterrupted operation.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate access where:

• These Terms are breached.
• Information provided is inaccurate or fraudulent.
• Continued participation may harm the programme, users or partners.
• Required by law or regulatory obligations.

You may stop using the Platform at any time.

15. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time.

Updated versions will be published on the Platform and will take effect from the date shown at the top of the document.

Continued use of the Platform following publication of amendments constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Governing law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising from use of the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

17. Contact us

For questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:

TechFirst Women's Programme Team

Email: techfirstwomen@plexal.com