Digital Innovators Programme
We want to inspire all young people to reach their potential, harness creative thinking and apply this to their use of technology. The Digital Innovators Programme, powered by First Central Group and delivered by the Digital Greenhouse, aims to develop problem-solving, collaboration and key digital skills for the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.
An established programme with over 150 post-14 students taking part annually. The Digital Greenhouse delivers a series of workshops focused on design thinking, user experience, ideation and pitch presentation skills. Students from College of Further Education, Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre, Blanchelande College, The Ladies’ College and Elizabeth College all commonly take part, gaining access to employees from First Central Group who coach them through their product development.
“We’re proud to power the Digital Greenhouse’s Digital Innovators Programme. The programme invites students to tackle a skills problem statement using technology-based solutions. Our students are the island’s future, so it’s important we provide them with opportunities to engage with digital technologies.”
John Davison, Chief Information Officer at First Central Insurance & Technology Group
All participants of the workshops and any other post-14 students who would like to get involved are invited to enter the annual competition by submitting their digital solutions to a set problem statement. Out of all of the competition entries the solutions are whittled down to a shortlist of teams who are asked to present their final solutions to a judging panel. Prizes are awarded for the Most Innovative Solution, Best Technical Solution and an overall winner. It gives the students the opportunity to demonstrate their newly learned skills in creative problem solving, designing for specific audiences and developing digital products and services.
What the teachers are saying...
Dan Hunter
Programme Leader: Computing and Office Administration College of Further Education"The Digital Innovators experience provided by the Digital Greenhouse compliments our computing curriculum perfectly. The environment gives our students an understanding of what it is like to work in a cutting edge tech location providing opportunities to work with and alongside industry key players. This can only be a great thing for the island’s future."
Paul Beasley
Head of IT Curriculum & Online Safety The Ladies' College
Sarah Moores
Head of Sixth Form Blanchelande College"This is a brilliant opportunity to promote collaboration and teamwork whilst allowing the students to think creatively to find workable solutions - all sought-after employability skills. It is also a great lesson in communication and presentation skills."
Erich Hauptfleisch
Head of Business & Economics Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre"Students are challenged with real life problems that needs critical and creative thinking skills to solve these problems. This course is tailored to get students to think laterally and generate 'outside of the box' solutions to everyday problems."
Robert Childs
ICT Lecturer Guernsey College of Further Education"Students at the college as a start learn the content they need to gain a qualification. Then we build on that to empower them to be fit for role, to slot into a job or go to University. The Digital Innovator Programme teaches those skills which cannot be automated, such as problem solving and working to a client requirement. The Digital Greenhouse is a fantastic environment for students to explore thinking like an innovator away from the classroom, and this programme has now become a regular and eagerly sought after part of their learning journey."
