Preparing for a career in a multimedia world Josie Whiteley Head of Creative Media & Entertainment Industries, Barnsley College

Skills students need Across Yorkshire & Humberside the Digital, ICT, Creative and Media sector employs over 100,000 people and is worth nearly £9bn to the region’s economy. 58% of employers surveyed expect an increase in technical level employment over the next three years. A number of skills-related issues have been identified.

Multimedia Industries There are 2700 specific audio visual/multimedia businesses in the region, with an average 4.6 staff. In the audio visual and multimedia sector, the main skill shortages are in project management, digital camera skills and multi-skilling for digital television The industry needs people with a wide knowledge of different disciplines combining technological, business and communication skills 32% of all Yorkshire and Humberside companies have IT skills gaps This slide courtesy of: Paul Wheatcroft, Wakefield College, Industrial Liaison Group

Courses at Barnsley Level 2: First Diploma Media (Games Production) (equivalent to 4 GCSE passes at C) Level 3: National Diplomas in: Media (Moving Image) Games Development E-media (equivalent to three A-levels)

Why Games? “The only legitimate use of computers is to play games” Eugene Jarvis video games designer

First Diploma A brand new Level 2 qualification which consists of seven units: Introduction to the games industry - looks at the range of employment opportunities within software development Research for games production - develops skills in collecting and handling quantitative and qualitative data and includes interview and presentation skills

First Diploma Introduction to games audiences – this continues with the research and communication theme allowing students to become familiar with marketing and branding Reviewing computer games - introduces students to analysis and contextualisation using the exciting world of cyber space 2D Computer games, Digital graphics for Computer Games and Production Project brings together all the skills learned in previous modules in a “realworld” environment

Links with partners Work placements at HCTV, LA Web-casting BCTV – with partner colleges in Stockport, Oregon, Arizona, Netherlands. Link College with YTV/Granada Sky (Propellor TV) Real Radio Team LNT (motorsports)

Links with HE Students encouraged to research widely to find the right course for them and to visit a variety of universities HE lecturers have visited college to talk to final year students

What is the Interactive Media industry? Skillset defines the interactive media industry on four media platforms: the web and internet – delivered to desktop computers, mobile devices, TVs via set-top boxes, broadband, wireless and dial-up. interactive television – delivered via set-top-boxes or integrated digital TVs. electronic games – delivered to desktop computers, TVs, consoles or mobile devices via CD-Rom and DVD. off-line multimedia – delivered to desktop computers, kiosks or TVs via CD-Rom, DVD or other media.