Computer games design course is a hit with Hartlepool students

Annalise Ferguson from High Tunstall College of Science and Luke Tayler from St Hild’s Church of England Secondary School were among several students who earlier this year completed the two-year Level 2 Diploma in Games Design, Animation and VFX at CECA, with tutors from Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Sunderland College.

CECA’s state-of-the-art facilities feature the latest software and hardware, so the students were able to learn to produce 2D games, 3D game levels, game design documents, concept art and 3D modelling.

The two afternoons a week they spent on the course certainly made a big impression on them, because they have now both gone on to study Level 3 National Extended Diploma Computer Games, Animation and VFX – Luke at Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Annalise at Sunderland College.

Annalise said: “Doing the course at CECA has opened so many doors for me and it showed me that game design is not just for men.

“I really enjoyed doing it and now I’m pursuing a career in this field of work because of the opportunity given to me.”

Luke added: “The CECA course enabled me to gain more practical-based skills not offered at school and I enjoyed it and decided to carry on and get the Level 3 qualification. It’s definitely my career goal to work in the industry.”

Mark Hughes, Head of Hartlepool Sixth Form College, praised the CECA course.

He said: “The Level 2 Diploma is a fantastic qualification that compliments traditional GCSE Key Stage 4 options.

“The students gained valuable experience through workshop-based sessions which encouraged hands-on knowledge of industry standard software and techniques.

“They really thrived and achieved some incredible outcomes that allowed them to progress on to positive destinations.”

Funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and run by Hartlepool Borough Council, CECA is a training centre for the creative industries which also offers facilities for commercial hire.

The centre houses facilities for TV broadcasting and film making, sound engineering, theatre, coding, gaming and VFX.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s fantastic to see that our young people are gaining practical skills and being encouraged to following their passion thanks to this CECA course.

“We have a vibrant, ever-growing creative and digital offering in the region, which is only enhanced by the state-of-the-art facilities at CECA that we’ve helped to fund.

“I wish Annalise and Luke every success for the future – with plenty of opportunity for a rewarding career in the sector right here in the Tees Valley.”

Councillor Shane Moore, Tees Valley Combined Authority Lead for Culture & Tourism and Hartlepool Borough Council Leader, said: “CECA is all about providing a supportive, stimulating environment in which our new creative talent can flourish, equipping our young people with the right skills to take advantage of job opportunities in expanding creative industries like this one.

“I wish Annalise and Luke every success in their studies and look forward to seeing them make a name for themselves in the computer games market.”  

For more information about CECA visit www.cecahartlepool.com or www.facebook.com/cecahartlepool