Residents in the Spencer Gulf region can develop a career in the diverse and fast-moving field of digital media, thanks to Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s latest degree offering.

Enrolments are now open for the Bachelor of Digital Media, which will be delivered through the Uni Hub’s university partner, CQUniversity.

Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s chief executive officer Anita Crisp said the digital media qualification provides students with skills relevant to a wide range of industries and job opportunities associated with design, technology and media.

“The digital revolution has dramatically changed the world we live in – it has created jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago and it has profoundly changed others,” she said.

“The COVID19 restrictions has taken our reliance on digital platforms and communications to a whole new level and for many, opened up a whole new way of doing business.

“CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Digital Media will prepare students for a professional career in areas such as web and graphic design, publishing, photography, illustration, animation, game and software development, audio and video production, film and television post-production, visual effects, advertising, marketing and corporate communications.

“What’s great about this degree is that it blends strong academic learning with a highly practical component that gives students direct exposure to the sector in a regional context and industry relevance as graduates.”

Two local businesses that were part of the Uni Hub’s Digital Media industry advisory panel were Big Day Productions in Port Pirie and Crossroads Concepts in Port Augusta. The panel provided advice to the Uni Hub on what digital media skills and qualifications were needed to meet industry demand in the Spencer Gulf region.

Big Day Productions director Joby Connor has been in the digital media industry for 30 years and believes the Uni Hub’s Bachelor of Digital Media will fill a much-needed void for future creatives.

“Digital media is one of the world’s fastest growing industries – from game, app and web design through to print media, graphic design and video production,” he said.

“This region and the world are wanting innovative, entertaining content while local clients are looking for messaging that works.

“I’m excited to see Uni Hub Spencer Gulf opening this door for locals who are looking for a career in the digital media industry. As a local video producer, I look forward to welcoming talented, creative local people to our business.”

Crossroads Concepts director Tony Mitchell said there was a definite need for people with digital media skills in the region and employment opportunities were already available.

“This is a great initiative – it provides the region with a major opportunity for people to undertake studies in a Bachelor of Digital Media,” he said.

“As an employer of graphic designers, I fully support the Uni Hub’s digital media offering and I believe there is a strong demand for people with these skills from many and varied businesses in this region.

“This type of opportunity will no doubt strengthen our region’s capability and support what we have all been trying to achieve for decades – keep local people in our local region.”