More than half of those who have graduated from The Digital Hub’s Future Creators Programme said that it has strongly influenced the career path they want to take, with many now interested in careers in media studies, engineering, programming, games development and business.
Further findings from the programme’s Alumni Survey — from which these results were drawn — indicate that 90pc of respondents are planning to go on to further education.
The findings of the survey were announced today (25 June) at a graduation ceremony for this year’s students — 10 boys and 11 girls from Dublin 8 — held at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).
Speaking at the ceremony, Gerry Macken, CEO of the Digital Hub, said: “We feel that, with each successful year, the influence of the programme becomes stronger, and our widening pool of alumni satisfied with their experience demonstrates that.
“Our ultimate aim is to encourage students to pursue a career in digital media or technology, as we know that more and more Irish graduates are needed in order to meet future demand, so it is heartening to see the Alumni Survey results stating that over half of respondents felt the programme influenced their career path.”
The digital media programme, which targets 13-16 year olds in Dublin’s Liberties area, has been in operation since 2011, and aims to equip participants with digital skills, including coding, app development, digital photography, filmmaking and website development.
It also works to enhance their exposure to STEM subjects, to build their confidence and to encourage them to pursue a career related to digital skills.
“Participants can use the skills and experiences from the Future Creators Programme as their foundation to change the world through tech, just as I have learned,” said keynote speaker Lee Campbell, founding member of the Digital Youth Council (DYC).
“Our generation are growing up as Digital Natives,” continued Campbell, “but the people who have the skills to harness the power of technology to make a difference will be tomorrow’s superheroes.”
In partnership with TV3 channel 3e, this year’s programme offered participants training in social media and blogging, Audacity sound software, stop-motion animation, music technology, filmmaking and coding.
Showcased at the ceremony were several projects created by the participants, including a short film entitled I Wish I Knew, and three games.
Updated at 11.58am on 3 July 2015 to include video from the Future Creators graduation day, provided by The Digital Hub.
