Digital skills for St. Patrick’s College

Year 10 pupils in St. Patrick’s got the chance to learn more about the opportunities in the digital sector, hearing directly from local digital entrepreneurs. The Digital Teen session took place on Thursday, to 40 year 10 students fromSt Patrick’s College in Banbridge.

The Digital Teen Programme is delivered by local charity Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and aims to encourage and develop a ‘digital enterprise culture’ in the region by upskilling young people for the digital industry and helping them discover the digital industry as an attractive career path or road to entrepreneurship. Young people were face-to-face with digital industry experts and hands-on with the latest tech in an immersive digital experience. Students heard from Simon Mooney from Mooney Media Ltd.

Councillor Darryn Causby, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, commented: “As more and more businesses and organisations are using digital technology to operate; it is vital we nurture our young people by developing their understanding, knowledge and skills for digital sector opportunities.  Awareness of the need for skills in this sector is a key element of the Regeneration and Development Strategy for the Council.”

During the Digital Teen session, students had the chance to put together a business plan for their very own App idea. They then had to present their idea to the group, and judges decided on an overall winner and runner-up, received USB pens. The overall winners were the group that designed the Smart Ball app, which allows the user to measure statistics such as distance, and also tracks the location of the ball, which is handy if it gets lost.

Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive with Young Enterprise said: “The digital industry is recognised as a key sector in driving economic growth. The Digital Teen programme inspires young people in the Council area to learn more about this area of work, encouraging them to consider pursuing a career within this industry.”