Students set to go digital with new scheme

Pictured in The Old Town Hall at the launch of the Digital Teen Programme are from left Therese Rafferty (Head of Regeneration), Eva Keenan (Programme Coordinator), Carol Fitzsimmons (Chief Executive of Young Enterprise), Daryl Conway (Digital Champion), Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Marie Hamilton, controlling the "drone", Mary Young (Invest NI) and Elaine McAlinden (Enterprise Development Officer) © Edward Byrne Photography INBL1440-211EB

The project which is partly funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland and the seven councils of the South East Economic Development (SEED) initiative.

The Digital Teen Programme will be delivered by local charity Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and aims to encourage and develop a ‘digital enterprise culture’ in the South East 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.

The programme will work with at least 2,000 14-18 year old students, in schools across the SEED council areas of Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne and North Down.

Young people will have the opportunity to get face-to-face with digital industry experts and hands-on with the latest tech in an immersive digital experience.

Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “The Digital Teen programme is designed to give young people in the SEED council area, who are interested in pursuing a career within this industry, access to knowledge and expert support.”

Chairman of Banbridge District Council, Marie Hamilton saidd: “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,”