This term, our Level 3 Computing students put their digital and creative skills into practice as part of a Social Media unit, working to a specification and framework provided by MSI, the international gaming company known for its high-performance products.

The partnership between Weston College’s Computing and Digital Careers Excellence Hub and MSI provides students with valuable opportunities to engage directly with the gaming and Digital industries. MSI regularly supports the College by sponsoring Esports competitions and enrichment sessions delivered by members of their team, giving students the chance to learn from industry professionals and gain insight into the skills and expectations needed to succeed in the sector.

As part of this partnership, MSI donated two MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless Keyboards, two MSI Versa 300 Elite Wireless Mice and two MSI Force GC300 Wireless Game Controllers. The products were used to recognise students’ achievements, rewarding outstanding performance and engagement throughout the unit, as well as providing potential prizes for charity fundraising activities.

Throughout the unit, students developed a social media campaign, with MSI acting as a stakeholder in the assignment. Students received guidance on the dos and don’ts of professional social media, the requirements for effective presentations and how to collaborate successfully with content creators. This provided a valuable opportunity to apply their learning to a realistic industry brief while receiving feedback and insight from an established organisation within the Digital sector.

Three Level 3 Computing students were recognised for their achievements. Ahmed was awarded an MSI controller for his exceptional hard work and performance throughout the unit. Joe received an MSI controller after achieving the highest levels of engagement, with one of his videos promoting the Esports Academy gaining more than 10,000 views. Harvey was awarded the grand prize of an MSI keyboard for producing the most creative and well-edited post, successfully incorporating promotional content for both MSI and Weston Esports Academy.

Opportunities such as this allow students to move beyond the classroom and experience the realities of working on a professional brief. By responding to the expectations of an international organisation, students develop not only their technical and creative abilities, but also key employability skills such as communication, collaboration, time management, problem-solving and responding to feedback.

Working directly with industry professionals also helps students build confidence in their abilities and understand how the skills they are developing can translate into future careers. Experiences like this enable learners to begin building professional networks, strengthen their portfolios and gain a better understanding of industry expectations, giving them a valuable advantage as they progress into further study, apprenticeships or employment within the digital sector.

A huge thank you to MSI for supporting our learners and facilitating their personal and professional progression with these high-value products.

This collaboration forms part of the Digital Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

Progress to the next level in Computing and Digital! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

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