T least 200 students are using the Creative IMAGE Centre at South West College in Enniskillen, says Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry.

Dr. Farry praised the work of the college explaining that it is equipping young people with the skills needed to ensure businesses can be creative and can respond to the opportunities and challenges ahead which will “ultimately ensure further investment in this exciting new sector.” Sinn Fein MLA Phil Flanagan asked Minister Farry for his assessment of the current level of gaming and digital animation skills in Fermanagh as a result of the work by South West College.

Minister Farry said his Department sets high level targets and agrees broad targets with individual colleges through the annual college development planning process.

“I am pleased that since the creation of the IMAGE Centre at the Enniskillen Campus of South West College (SWC) there has been positive engagement at various qualification levels in gaming and digital animation both from students attending SWC and from students outside the college.

“The Creative IMAGE Centre is used on a daily basis with approximately 200 students attending courses every week, and in this academic year (2014/15) the college has designed and equipped two additional creative media suites because of the rise in the numbers of students wishing to use creative digital software and hardware, as a direct result of the IMAGE studio launch,” he said.

Dr. Farry said it was “very encouraging” to note that a new Foundation Degree in Games and Animation is currently being developed in conjunction with the University of Ulster for delivery from September 2015.

“This will create an additional opportunity for those wishing to concentrate on Games and Animation skills in the South West College catchment area,” he said.

The IMAGE centre is now recognised as having a growing influence in the South West Region and in Northern Ireland over the past three years, added Minister Farry.

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