Students at the brand new Digital Jersey Academy will be learning graphic design, and video and audio production skills on a suite of state-of-the-art computers, thanks to support from Jersey Electricity.
The six 27-inch iMacs, each with a terabyte of storage and the fastest processors, will be used by the first cohort of students on the Digital Leadership Programme which began this month.
The Digital Jersey Academy sets out to provide the next generation workforce with the key digital skills both they and employers need, as part of a wider commitment to ensure Jersey is well placed as a global digital centre of excellence.
Jersey Electricity’s CEO Chris Ambler said: “Jersey Electricity is delighted to support Digital Jersey’s new Academy which promises to dramatically improve the scale and quality of resources that are focused on digital education. Power utilities across the global are becoming increasingly digitalised. Technological advances will continue to transform the way in which we generate, use and pay for electricity and Jersey Electricity is investing to be at the forefront of that technological transformation.
“Our £11m Smart Meter roll out is almost complete; we are investing heavily in extending Jersey’s intelligent electric vehicle charging network; we have recently installed Jersey’s largest solar PV array on the Power Station to feed power directly into the grid and our Smarter Living concept store showcases the latest smart home tech and low carbon heating solutions.
“Having already established a virtually completely de-carbonised energy supply, we want to inspire and encourage a fully connected, smart, zero carbon Jersey. We believe such an ambition fits with Jersey’s responsible and sustainable positioning in the international community and growing digital economy of which Digital Jersey is playing a significant part.”
The Digital Leadership Programme is a two-year course that teaches the skills to teach the leaders and entrepreneurs of the future. It has been developed in conjunction with industry to deliver the skills and experiences needed in the workplace.
Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta said: “I am delighted with the support we have received from Jersey Electricity, which means our technology is ‘cleanly powered by Jersey Electricity’ in all senses. The Digital Jersey Academy is a step change in our approach to upskilling and reskilling the island’s future and current workforce. Knowing the students are learning these skills on the latest kit means they’ll be best placed to take what they’ve learned and apply it throughout their careers.”
