Member Article

Students get taste of creative world with DigitalCity partnership

Students at Redcar & Cleveland College are to receive help and guidance from some of the region’s leading creative entrepreneurs thanks to a new partnership with a digital hub.

The college has formed a working relationship with DigitalCity Business at Boho One in Middlesbrough, which will see some of the brightest young business people in the north offering curriculum advice and work experience opportunities to the college.

Students from the college’s Level 3 Extended BTEC Diploma in Interactive Media visited DigitalCity to see for themselves the kind of businesses operating from Boho One and to hear personal stories of start-up ventures.

Dan Watson, head of Cluster Development at DigitalCity Business, said the partnership would benefit both sides.

He said: “We’re really happy to support Redcar & Cleveland College and hope that it opens the eyes of students as to the possibilities and opportunities out there in the creative and digital sector.

“DigitalCity aims to enable young entrepreneurs in the creative and technical fields to start businesses and then support them as they take their ventures forward.

“We will be able to offer advice about the skills and qualifications businesses are looking for in young people, but we also hope to inspire students. It’s an exciting industry, so we hope to demonstrate that.”

Bob Makin, of SockMonkey Studios, runs a mobile game and app development company from the Victoria Building at Teesside University after receiving funding from DigitalCity to start the business.

He has already taken on an apprentice and is considering taking on more.

Bob said university was a good way into the sector, but said he was excited by the opportunities that Apprenticeships brought to both young people and businesses.

He said: “It’s a great way to get into the industry. You can learn valuable skills and gain great experience, while also getting paid. Then if you still want to go to university, you can take all of that with you.”

Student Callum Goodsell, 17, was on the visit. He said: “This partnership is going to really help us to understand the industry,” he said. I have already learned how valuable it is for people with different skill sets to form business partnerships together, so they can complement each other, and how beneficial Apprenticeships can be.”

Redcar & Cleveland College Principal Gary Groom said plans were in hand to expand the digital and creative departments at the college, in line with growth in the industry on Teesside.

“I’m really keen to work with the businesses at Boho One on our curriculum and what we offer to students going forward,” said Gary.

“We want our students to feel inspired by the sector and to obtain skills and qualifications that are industry standard. The knowledge and experience this partnership will give them will hopefully put them ahead of the game and will make them very attractive and employable to businesses out there looking to recruit. It’s really exciting.”

For more information about digital and creative courses at the college, call 01642 473132 or go to www.cleveland.ac.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by DigitalCity Business .