South: EM3 invests in industry-designed gaming campus

EM3 has co-funded the development with Havant and South Downs College, and worked closely with EM3 games sector specialist, Sam Read, to ensure that the new gaming study space is created to enable students to work and collaborate in the way that developers do in the industry.

Read says: "Enterprise M3 is delighted to support the development of this new space at HSDC Alton which will give students a real feel for working in the games industry, a key growth sector in our region. By closely replicating a studio environment, through consultation with some of our local games development studios, students can expect to be well prepared for their future career.

"Digital skills such as those being taught here are right at the heart of EM3's Skills Action Plan and will open doors for students to pursue careers within a highly successful local industry."

Principal Mike Gaston is looking forward to welcoming the first students into the new space in September: "With a mix of working spaces, collaborative areas and development studios our gaming students will benefit from a truly industry-reflective space to learn the knowledge and skills required to enter this fantastic industry which employs nearly 50,000 people in the UK and contributes nearly £3 billion to our economy. The UK is a world-leader in this sector, and our Alton campus is surrounded by many famous design and development companies with whom our students will form the next generation of professionals."

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has identified the gaming sector as a key industry in the EM3 region and recognised it as offering a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for investors. The Enterprise M3 Skills Action Plan focuses on creating good jobs in new and high growth industries.