Tech firm hedgehog lab to boost North East skills with VR academy

Tech firm hedgehog lab is launching an initiative aimed at boosting the North East’s skills in the emerging field of virtual reality.

The Newcastle-headquartered app developer, which set up its own immersive technologies division earlier this year, will establish a VR academy to equip those looking to enter the industry with the necessary skills.

While hedgehog lab has not yet decided on a site for the venture, one potential option, with the backing of Gateshead Council, is the proposed new R&D facility for emerging technologies in the city’s Baltic Digital Quarter.

The company’s director of immersive technologies, Shaun Allan, is heading up the initiative with Pocket Money Games’ Frankie Cavanagh.

Shaun said: “This sector is going to be getting very busy, very soon.

“The aim is therefore to fill the void in skills training and get people industry-ready as quickly as possible.”

He added: “I am also confident we can make the North East the place to be for VR development. We hope to get the biggest players in VR involved.”

hedgehog lab is expecting to make an initial intake of between 20 and 30 students for a course lasting around six months.

Half of that time would be spent on formal training on development platforms such as Unity, while the other would focus on real-world projects in virtual, augmented or mixed reality.

hedgehog lab hopes to tailor the course to tie in with local colleges and universities. Guest speakers, it said, will be invited to contribute.

Speaking further, Shaun said: “Want people from a range of backgrounds - from graduates to those that show a natural creative and technical ability that doesn’t necessarily fit into the usual formal education route; we want the mavericks and those who dare to think differently.

“And we want them to feel they’ve accomplished something just by joining this initiative. We want it to be aspirational, in line with the hedgehog lab ethos.”

hedgehog lab was founded in 2010 and has offices in London, the US, Denmark and India.

Bob Paton, the former MD of professional services company Accenture, who joined hedgehog lab in November as non-executive director, commented: “In addition to promoting VR and AR from a hedgehog lab perspective, we are also keen to drive forward the region’s skill development in this exciting area of technology.

“We will work closely with the education sector, local authorities, the LEP, Dynamo and other technology companies to create a world-leading VR Academy within the North East.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →