Having been outspoken about his 'disappointment' in the education system's digital offering and lack of courses in the region to feed the digital industries, managing director of Code Computerlove Tony Foggett has put his money where his mouth is and created 'The Institute of Computerlove' to foster new digital talent. The Institute of Computerlove is a mentoring and continual programme of development for design students during their final year at university or college (year two for foundation degree). Code has already taken on five students from Salford University (just outside Manchester) currently being mentored by the design team, and is looking for new recruits for the next school year's intake. Each student picked for the scheme is assigned a mentor from Code's design team, headed by Wini Tse, who will provide face to face, email or telephone support and reviews - at least two hours bimonthly. Code also funds attendance to all of the Manchester D&AD presidents lectures, any entry fees into competitions or awards, plus other industry events that would benefit student's knowledge. Students also benefit from two weeks' work experience within the agency, plus part-time work throughout the year as applicable; they have access to Code's industry leading research libraries, online training, software know-how and other training events; and of course they get to be included in some top agency nights out to see just what working for a digital marketing agency is all about. "Manchester's Higher Education bodies have not kept up with planning for the digital industry. The cogs have started to turn to improve schooling for digital talent, and Salford has now got a much needed digital course. But there's still more to be done. Agencies need to take action and help develop the talent in the region before it's too late. As a region we also have to work harder than London, and other marketing industries, to attract, train and retain talent. We have a great network within Manchester and throughout the UK, and would see it as a personal failure if our students didn't go on to get a job at the end of the year."
