The Creative Industries Conference for Young People brought together 90 senior students from South Ayrshire Council’s Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy, Girvan Academy, Kyle Academy, Prestwick and Queen Margaret Academy. Each student was specially selected to attend the conference as they are particularly interested in pursuing a career in the arts.

South Ayrshire Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder said: “The conference was a great success and very beneficial to the students.

“It is important that we ensure that students who are artistic and are determined to have a career in the arts know the reality of how the industry works. I was particularly impressed with the way in which the students from the University of the West of Scotland passed on their knowledge and experience to our school students.

“We have a great reputation in this country for delivering high quality arts productions and I am positive that some of these students will achieve great things in the industry in the future.”

Students from the University of the West of Scotland delivered seminars and hands on workshops for delegates providing peer to peer mentoring through the day in a range of industry related themes, including film sound effects, radio and screen writing and theatre production.

A number of market place style displays enabled the school students to learn more about the arts and theatre companies, digital media and heritage organisations that exist locally and nationally.  These organisations offer direct support and opportunities for young people in creative industries.

A number of the students commented about their experience of attending the Creative Industries Conference:

Kyle Academy
Cameron Fong

‘Was a great opportunity to see the working environment of a University which gave us a great personal insight’

Jo-Anne Blacklock

‘I really enjoyed a first hand experience of the workings and procedures of the creative courses the University has to offer’

Queen Margaret Academy

Jaymee Galloway

‘Very interesting and exciting day.  Friendly and very nice building’

Prestwick Academy

Alicia Marshall

‘The conference today has opened my eyes to many courses and opportunities which I would not have learned about in school.’

Louise Wheeldon

‘Today was a great opportunity at trying new experiences I would never have had without the University of the West of Scotland.  It really showed me that there was more available to me than I know.’

Belmont Academy

Ruth Johnstone

‘I have enjoyed learning about the thought processes used by TV show creators.  I also was interested in the technology used by the UWS radio station and was impressed by how Radio Broadcasting students are required to do an hours show every week.’

Kathryn Hanna

Today has given me an insight into Uni life at UWS and informed me of courses that can be studied here which I haven’t seen offered at other Universities.   UWS seems to offer more diverse and practical courses which are geared a lot to preparing Scotland for jobs in their chosen industry.’

Girvan Academy

Mighel Espinosa

‘I found the visit really inspiring and intriguing.   It has really opened my eyes by offering opportunities close to home rather than traveling to universities in Edinburgh and Stirling.’

Caitlin Harvey

‘I found today really interesting and very informative.    It has shown me what is on offer on my doorstep instead of traveling far distances.   I now know what qualifications I need to get into my preferred course.’

The conference was funded by Education Scotland and Creative Scotland and is part the Creative Learning Network in South Ayrshire Council.