Young people from Burnley are developing the digital skills employers are increasingly looking for thanks to an innovative programme designed to boost confidence, creativity and future career prospects.

Students from Shuttleworth College were among those taking part in Digital Advantage – Your Digital News Agency (Your DNA), an award-winning initiative that gives young people hands-on experience in areas such as website design, photography, graphic design and content creation.

The programme comes at a time when youth employment and skills development remain key priorities across Lancashire, with employers continuing to highlight the growing demand for digital talent.

As part of the project, students worked alongside industry professionals to create their own digital agency, building websites, producing videos and developing content while gaining valuable workplace skills that could lead to apprenticeships, further education or future employment.

placeholder image — Shuttleworth College

Fifteen-year-old Sophia, from Shuttleworth College, was selected as team leader for the Burnley group.

She said: “We made a website about us and our school so we've got a webpage with pictures of each of us where we put our job, our name and our favourite thing. I put that my favourite thing was bossing people!

“We also made a three-minute video showing behind the scenes, it was really fun. At first I was a bit nervous because I've got really bad anxiety, but I felt really confident in the end and I'm really proud of myself because I managed to overcome that.”

Fellow Shuttleworth College student Jacob (15) took on the role of graphic designer during the project.

He said: “I was a graphic designer so I made the logos and then someone else put them on the website. It was exciting to see the website.

“My family were proud of me and I'm proud of myself. I'd say to anyone else to just do it if they get the chance to take part in this.”

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The programme, which supports young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), saw students from six schools and colleges across Lancashire showcase their work at a celebration event held at County Hall in Preston.

County Coun. Matthew Salter, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Education and Skills, praised the students' achievements and the opportunities the programme creates.

He said: “It was fantastic to see first-hand the creativity and variety of content that these young people have produced – they should be proud of their work and the skills they have developed during this project.

“I hope this will set them up to embrace the opportunities in Lancashire's growing digital economy and that more young people will see the possibilities open to them in digital careers.”

Ezra Rushen, Training Director at Digital Advantage, said the project helps young people gain practical experience while building confidence and transferable skills.

He said: “By transforming classrooms into fast-paced digital newsrooms, we give young people a real-world taste of the creative industries.

“Students take full ownership by building a brand, developing a website and producing multimedia content. True to our charity's slogan, 'Hidden Talent Revealed', it is incredibly rewarding to watch these students build vital transferable skills and grow in confidence.”