A partnership between StateTalking and cybersecurity company Callsign has led to the creation of a real-world team challenge for schools.
The Callsign Challenge will see student teams from five state schools across five Greater Manchester boroughs flex their problem solving, innovation and communication skills. The winners will have the chance to spend a day with Callsign founder Zia Hayat and his wider team.
Over the course of three months, teams of four will work on scenarios inspired by real business challenges faced by Callsign, which specialises in digital identity verification and fraud prevention.
Each group of Year 10 students will be supported by a mentor from the company to develop a practical solution, with members taking on roles including product lead, developer and marketing lead.
The project will culminate in a live final event at the end of January 2026 at HOME arts centre in Manchester, where students will pitch their ideas.
The schools taking part are St James Catholic High School in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, St Monica’s RC High School in Prestwich, Bury, Levenshulme High School for Girls in Manchester, St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles, Salford and St Antony’s RC School in Urmston, Trafford.
The Challenge is being led by Chris Hutton, Callsign’s VP of customer integration, who attended Aquinas College in Stockport from 2002-05.
He said: “The Callsign Challenge will support young people to build teamwork, leadership and problem solving skills, develop the ability to present an idea and show real-world relevance by responding to the brief set by Callsign.
“It will also help give them insight into the tech industry and roles within it.”
Offering their mentoring skills to the students are Callsign employees Phil Gordon, Karen Openshaw, Sanjay Shah, Matt Gott and Paul Dodman.
Callsign was founded in 2011 by Zia Hayat, who attended state schools in Manchester’s Moss Side and Blackburn, Lancashire before gaining a PhD in information systems security. He then cut his teeth with companies including BAE Systems, Accenture and Lloyds Banking Group. Zia will sit on the judging panel at the live final and will also speak to students about his own career journey from inner city Manchester to tech company founder.
