Software Skills Offer Springboard to Success

Profiles in Success: University of Westminster

London’s University of Westminster is boosting its creative students’ employability by integrating software skills into the academic curriculum. The university has become an Apple Authorised Training Centre for Education (AATCe), ensuring undergraduates in its prestigious School of Media, Arts and Design get quality training in the professional tools used in the creative industries.

“It’s critical that young graduates applying for work in film, photography, design and the other creative arts today can offer the professional skills required by employers”, says Aaron Kay, Computing Officer at the University of Westminster. “Apple technology is common currency in creative industries. As an AATCe, we can now give the best quality training in Apple’s pro applications, enhancing academic learning at the same time”.

Formed as Britain’s first polytechnic in 1838, the University of Westminster has a strong tradition of combining the needs of industry with its academic curriculum. The School of Media, Arts and Design offers good examples of the university’s success in preparing students for practical careers.

Graduates from the School include Michael Jackson — former chief executive of Channel 4, chart diva Karen Ramirez, and John Woodward, Chief Executive of the UK’s Film Council.

Some 65% of the School’s graduates go directly into jobs in arts or media-related organisations. Two recent graduates remixed a Madonna single. Others are working freelance or on short-term contracts in film, photography, multimedia, graphic information design, journalism, broadcasting, fine art, animation and ceramics.

“We are seeing a break down of the traditional barriers between academic degree courses and hands-on skills in the creative disciplines. We want to be in the lead in offering the most pragmatic and high-quality learning for our students.”

Aaron Kay, Computing Officer, The University of Westminster

The School of Media, Arts and Design regularly assesses its academic courses to ensure they meet changing work practices in the creative industries. As use of technology becomes more common throughout the creative world, quality software skills training is becoming increasingly important.

“Just being a graduate doesn’t impress employers in most creative sectors today”, says Aaron Kay. “Students in higher education have to be able to offer the same practical skills as those following more vocational, specialist courses. Young people applying for degree courses are increasingly aware of that fact, and tend to head for universities that offer those skills”.

Kay and his colleagues in the university’s IT Services group have been providing basic Apple and other software training to students in the School of Media, Arts and Design for many years. However, student numbers have increased tenfold in the last five years, and Kay recognised the need for a more efficient, fully integrated training programme.

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