Sproai agus Spórt, in collaboration with the Irish Youth Foundation and McDonald’s, has invited keen gamers throughout Inishowen to join their Gaming 4 All initiative.
This weekly meet up is aimed at promoting creative industries, specifically targeting young individuals aged 12 and above.
This free after school activity will take place every Wednesday from February 14th running from 4pm to 6pm during school terms, at the Digital Creative Lab, Unit 9, Supervalu Carndonagh.
Gaming 4 All, is led by an experienced and passionate gamer Chris Hewitt. It offers participants access to Playstations, VR headsets, and cutting-edge programmes for game development and coding. The programme provides the young gaming community in Inishowen with a dedicated space and advanced technology to share, create, and play.
Carlene Lyttle, Business Development and Innovation Lead at the Digital Creative Lab, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Video gaming is popular and inspiring for young people. We want to use their love of gaming to develop interests and skills that can increase their future employability in both the expanding gaming industry and in knowledge-led sectors, from ICT to medical services to tourism.”
According to research by the World Economic Forum, creative thinking has been ranked as the second most important skill for the future of jobs in 2023, up from 10th in 2015. The creative industries, including the gaming sector, play a critical role in economic growth, surpassing contributions from sectors such as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and the automotive industry.
With Derry-based gaming company Hypixel Studios leading the way, the North West Regional Enterprise Plan has identified digital gaming as a key area of economic strength to build upon. A 2020 report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs highlighted gaming and animation as industries with high growth potential for the Irish economy but with skill shortages.
Gaming 4 All represents a significant step towards addressing these skill shortages, providing young participants with experience and skills that are in high demand in the job market, all whilst sharing their love of gaming. The initiative aligns with regional strengths, global trends in the importance of creative skills, and positions avid young gamers in Inishowen to contribute to the flourishing digital gaming and creative industries.
