With digital skills now being required across a wide range of industries, it is important that young people across the region are given the opportunity to explore career opportunities and discover the pathways and routes available to those destinations.
In response to this, and to address the future skills needs of this sector, Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority worked in partnership to deliver a Go Higher in Digital Media and AI event for Year 12 students from three colleges from across the region.
The event, hosted at Prime Studios in Leeds, was supported and delivered by a range of leading industry specialists. These included staff from Leeds Young Film, MetFilm School Leeds, and creative studio company Buttercrumble, and HE ambassadors.
Over 35 students took part in a series of practical, employer- and HE- led workshops that explored digital media careers, skills, and experience of the workplace. Activities included:
Learner evaluation demonstrated the event’s impact on increased knowledge and understanding of the sector. One learner commented,
“It was really good to get practical experience of how it all fits together in a real working space.” Another learner voiced that the networking opportunity was invaluable and would love to experience more events like this.
After the event, the number of students who understood the skills they need to pursue a career in this sector increased by 48%. Furthermore, 77% of students said that they felt they had they necessary skills relevant to the sector.
The potential of the event to encourage young people to consider a career in the digital sector was also expressed by employers and academics.
GHWY and the Combined Authority collaborated on a series of Go Higher In events in 2023-24 that focused on the growing industry sectors of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Health and Social Care, digital media, and Green Skills.
Guided by Local Skills Improvement Plans, they provided students with high quality and meaningful experiences of the workplace. They also offered insights into progression pathways, employer interactions, and real-life skills development.
In addition, they demonstrated the importance of strategic partnership and collaborative working, aiming to connect careers provision in schools and colleges to the needs of local economies.
If you would like to offer young people experiences of the work place, sign up to the West Yorkshire Careers Portal. A platform where local employers and schools and colleges can connect and offer experiences to young people.
We need to nurture the next generation of talent, as they eventually become our colleagues and employees. The practical skills and guidance shared [at these events] helps to safeguard businesses and careers in the long-term.
Chloe Baldwin
Creativity Conductor at Buttercrumble
These events go beyond just film, offering life skills and transferable skills. They also introduce young people to jobs they didn’t know actually existed.
Debbie Maturi
Director of Leeds Young Film
It is important for young people to be exposed to various roles at an early age so they can navigate a way into the industry.
Ed Swales
Cinematography tutor at MetFilm School
