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First Central Insurance & Technology Group has been working with the Digital Greenhouse team to get young people engaging with digital technologies.
Its 'Ideathon', tackling real-world problems using technology, was attended by more than 40 students from the College of Further Education and the Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre.
The session was also attended by Vice President of Economic Development Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, the curriculum lead for IT from the College of FE Dan Hunter and Grammar's Head of Business Mr Hauptfleisch.
The students were presented with two problem statements and tasked with finding a creative technology-based solution. At the end of the session they presented their ideas to each other, as well as judges from the Digital Greenhouse and First Central Insurance & Technology Group.
The award for 'most commercial promise' went to a team from the College of FE for their idea 'Move it, Make it'; an app that gamified active travel to encourage its users to abandon their cars and walk instead. Meanwhile, the prize for 'most innovative concept' was awarded to a team from the Grammar School who were praised for their underground transport concept.
Head of Digital at the Digital Greenhouse Lucy Kirby said: “The students showed a high level of innovation and digital creativity. It’s great to be able to work with industry to enable young people to build and develop these essential critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative skills for their futures.
“The feedback from the students was very positive. They got a buzz from the fast pace and took home some useful tools to get the ideas flowing, particularly engaging with design thinking processes.”
Chief Information Officer for First Central John Davison added: “The Ideathon is part of our Digital Innovators Programme, which is designed to develop the skills required for our evolving digital economy. Career opportunities in technology and creative sectors are more exciting than ever been before. It’s essential for young people to have a space where they can develop digital skills on-island.”
The next Digital Innovators Ideathon will take place in May and more information is available here.
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