Aspiring video game designers have been given expert training as part of the ‘Let’s get Digital’ programme run by Caerphilly-based social enterprise GoConnect and the Cwm a Mynydd Rural Development Plan programme for Caerphilly County Borough and Blaenau Gwent.
The programme aims to provide young adults from rural communities with better access to specialist digital education to address a growing skills gap and boost employability.
GoConnect director Alun Prosser said there was a demand for more access to training around game design, coding and other key industry skills.
He said: “We’ve run numerous workshops in the last two years and we found that a lot of young people wanted to learn about game design and coding, but lacked the qualifications to enter formal college courses as well as the knowledge on how to get into the industry.
“Given that nationally there is such a demand for access to individuals with digital skills, it seemed that this was a perfect way to help give people access to that pathway. With the support of the Cwm a Mynydd programme, we’ve been able to work towards achieving this.”
Mr Prosser added: “The workshops give people practical hands-on experience of designing a video game as well as picking up a number of transferable skills along the way, from development and visual storytelling to literacy and digital skills.”
It’s hoped that the skills and experience developed through the workshops will help young people into further education or a career in the industry.
Caleb Chandler, 22, who took part in the course, said: “I’d recently learned a fair deal about coding through my IT course in college, but these workshops gave me a chance to put theory into practice.
“Learning how to code and build games in these workshops means I’m learning how to use the theory I picked up in college, in new and changing ways.”
Cllr Nigel George, chair of the Cwm a Mynydd Rural Development Programme Local Action Group, said: “What the young people have achieved through this project has been truly inspiring and we congratulate them and look forward to seeing the next best selling game made in Wales”.
For more information about the workshops, contact the GoConnect team on 02921 679065 or email alun@goconnectwales.org.uk