Over 100 students from local secondary schools came to Sunderland College to get first-hand experience of careers in the digital industry.
Students from Farringdon Community Academy, Hetton School, Mortimer Community College, Castle View Enterprise Academy, Washington School and Kepier, attended a unique event to learn first-hand about the diverse career paths within the digital industry. They also enjoyed a series of hands-on activities using the College’s state-of-the-art digital equipment.
The students created level design in Unity, an industry standard game engine; modelled a spaceship; worked on 2D asset design and produced 3D animation using specialist computer animation software, Maya.
The full day event took place in the College’s impressive Digital Academy. Jane Reed, Faculty Director for Digital, Creative and Business at Sunderland College, said:
“Digital is such an exciting industry to work in and is a huge growth sector. Jobs are being created that didn’t even exists a few years ago.
“We organised this event to inspire and educate young people about digital career pathways and to encourage them to consider a future in this sector. The students were very enthusiastic and engaged with all the activities and gained invaluable experience using industry standard equipment.
“We are looking forward to welcoming some of the young people back to the College in the future and provide them with the skills, expertise and qualifications to succeed in this dynamic sector.”
Sunderland College offers industry designed digital courses and is one of only a small number of colleges nationally that deliver NextGen digital qualifications in games design, animation and visual effects.
The College’s highly specialised, industry standard facilities are rarely seen in a college environment and include virtual reality and mixed reality labs, VR and MR headsets and controllers, PlayStation 4 Development Kit, specialist VFX program Nuke and graphic tablet monitors.
Emma McDermott, Careers Leader at Castle View Enterprise Academy, said:
“It was a fantastic day. Our students came away enthused and enjoyed all the activities.”
For more information about digital courses at Sunderland College visit an open event, email info@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk or ring 0191 511 6000.