CALLING all teenagers who want design, YouTubing, vlogging or gaming to be part of their future...

Young people with an interest in all things digital are being urged to take part in a project to build a generation of tech entrepreneurs in West Somerset.

Studio Digital aims to support and nurture the potential of the tech-savvy, ambitious and entrepreneurial internet generation, those born between 1994 and 2010 – known as Generation Z.

The young people, aged between 14 and 18, will attend 10 workshops between April and July at Contains Art in Watchet to learn from experts how to make films, design websites, create trending zines or vlogs, develop apps, and other digital creative skills.

It aims to give them confidence to follow their digital dreams by looking at the opportunities and pitfalls of the shifting, growing tech industry, being your own boss, standing out from the crowd, making it as a digital start-up, or becoming part of the gaming revolution.

Naomi Griffith, project manager at Contains Art, said: “We want to take young people on a journey to discover their own digital and creative entrepreneurial potential, to build a generation of young people with the skills, confidence and agency to establish and run their own companies. Social media gives young people opportunities to do this that weren’t always possible.

“We’re also committed to working towards the establishment of a West Somerset Digital and Creative Agency – offering digital and creative services with a talent pool that’s added to year on year as the scheme develops.”

West Somerset Opportunity Area funding was awarded to Contains Art – a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Watchet - phased over two years to deliver the Studio Digital project to four cohorts of students.

Harry Knight has completed the workshops and said: “Sign up for Studio Digital because it gave me the confidence to achieve digital skills and do things in a fun way.”

Fellow student Watson Byas added: “It’s a fun way to make new friends and discover new digital skills and how they can be used in the industry.”

West Somerset is one of 12 Department for Education Opportunity Areas (OA) to help disadvantaged young people overcome obstacles to social mobility through education.

One of the local priorities is to equip every young person in West Somerset with the high aspirations and skills to succeed in the world of work.

Information is going out to parents and carers of pupils at West Somerset College in Minehead and Years 10-12 will be shown a video of what’s on offer to encourage them to sign up.