Helping to design our future digital workforces, Middlesbrough College’s IoT provides the skills for success

Middlesbrough College is helping to shape the digital workforces of the future through their pioneering Institute of Technology qualifications. The College is a partner in the North East Institute of Technology (NEIoT) and is the sole deliverer of IoT recognised courses in the Tees Valley. Working alongside local digital industries, the STEM specialist College is providing pathways to skilled employment and supporting the development of future digital leaders.  

Through the College’s digital IoT recognised T Level qualifications, students are provided with the opportunity to take part in valuable 45-day work placement, giving them a taste of the working world, experience in industry and opportunities to progress in their careers.

One student who secured a permanent offer of employment after impressing his employer during the T Level work placement was Middlesbrough College student Ayo Buluro. The talented 17-year-old is studying the IoT recognised T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development at the College’s dedicated Digital Centre, and following a successful first year work placement with Middlesbrough based digital studio Animmersion, he was offered a permanent role as a Junior Software Developer alongside his studies.

Ayo said: “I decided to study the T Level programme at Middlesbrough College because of the work placement element. I was delighted when Animmersion selected me for the opportunity, and I have enjoyed developing my skills for the workplace throughout the work placement.

“The T Level course is practical and hands-on and has prepared me well for industry. I have enjoyed the balance of College study and the work placement. Studying at the College’s Digital Centre has been a great experience as the industry-standard facilities are amazing. I’ve also gained real working experience through my placement in the sector and enjoyed working on a range of projects for real clients.

“I was delighted to receive a part-time job offer alongside my studies, and I’m now an employee for Animmersion. I’m learning new skills all the time on my course and in my part-time role as a Junior Software Assistant, which is fantastic as I can put the skills and knowledge I’m learning at College into practice in my job role.

“The T Level course at Middlesbrough College has helped me to progress in my career and I’m enjoying my role with Animmersion. In the future I want to continue progressing in the sector and developing my skills, particularly in artificial intelligence.”

Claire Stockton, Studio Director at Animmersion said: “Taking on a T Level student with Middlesbrough College has been an excellent experience. We were impressed with the quality of candidates for the placement opportunity as the students were mature and had the skillsets that we desired.

“We are delighted to have Ayo in our team at Animmersion. Ayo is very talented and I’m excited to see him progress with us.

“The T Level course has been a fantastic choice for us as an employer as we have developed and retained homegrown talent, and I do believe it is important to keep skilled workers in the region.”   

The College’s digital team works closely with a range of leading local employers to develop their offering, this includes Animmersion, Alt-Labs, FLOK, Double Eleven, North Link Digital, Greenlord Studios, Razorblue, Tascomp, Mabo Media, North IT and CB Social.

As well as the work placement opportunities provided, students at MC Digital also enjoy regular visits and talks from industry, allowing them to connect with professionals in the sector and gain an insight into the industry.

Find out more about our IoT recognised courses here

If you are a business and want to find out more about working with Middlesbrough College’s Digital Centre, please contact placements@mbro.ac.uk