Students discover their digital futures

Discovering the creative technologies career prospects available today has been on the timetable for more than 1,000 North West students visiting the University of Bolton this week.

The Digital Futures event, now in its fourth year, brings industry and academia together with the aim of inspiring young people to take up a career which organisers say will help address a skills gap in the region.

On Thursday (20 September 2007) Year 11 (GCSE) and Year 12 (first year A-level) students learned all about the digital industries, including: TV and radio, films, magazine publishing, photography, web publishing, podcasting, advertising, e-learning, computer games development, architectural visualisations, music technology and all products incorporating electronics.

Said Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Peter Marsh:

'Our region has a growing demand for people with the latest skills in digital media and that demand is going to keep growing with the BBC's impending move of whole departments to Salford.

'Young people are quick and eager to use new technology but the best jobs go to those with the right education.

'The University of Bolton, and others in the region, works with employers to develop courses that are pertinent to their business needs. We need to highlight opportunities to young people starting A-levels so they can plan their route to a well-paid, inspiring career.' 

The event is run by the School of Games Computing and Creative Technologies at the University of Bolton. The School of Games Computing and Creative Technologies runs a wide range of degree courses in creative technologies, including:

• special effects development
• computer games software development
• computer games design
• sound engineering and design
• multimedia and website development
• internet communications and networks
• internet systems development
• electronic and computer engineering
• computing technology.