A new programme targets 330 young people over three years with training in photography, filmmaking, game development and scriptwriting. The Creative Arts and Digital Technologies initiative operates in Education Otherwise Than At School centres across Northern Ireland.

The Education Authority delivers the programme in all Key Stage 4 EOTAS centres. It follows a pilot where those centres received the Capita ICT Excellence Awards in 2022. Eve Bremner, Chief Education Officer for the Education Authority, stated the initiative helps young participants develop talents and obtain qualifications for further study or jobs in the local creative sector.

Funding from the James Kane Foundation has provided digital creative hubs in the centres. Michael Wilson, Chair of the foundation, noted the hubs assist students in gaining confidence and accessing careers in the expanding creative industry.

Partners include the Nerve Centre, NI Screen and training providers such as Adobe and Microsoft. Centres involved are Ballymena, Castlereagh, Loughshore in North Belfast, Lough Road in Lurgan, Strabane, Redburn, Holywood, Groomsport, Loughan and Drumard.