The launch event, dubbed FutureFest, was attended by the city’s VIPs, college students and pupils from local schools, who were able to experience many hands-on taster sessions in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, garment technology and drone flying. The famous rapper Dan Bull, Ed James from Heart FM, Rob Howard from Capital and JD from Free Radio, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and Lady Mayoress were amongst the guests enjoying the experience and learning about the new courses.

The courses are designed to help businesses meet their increasing digital skills needs, as the UK faces a growing skills shortage in this area. South and City is one of only a few colleges in the country to offer such forward-thinking learning opportunities and the first college in the region.

Courses include:
● Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (Introduction course and Level 2)
● Computer Science incorporating AI and Robotics (Level 1)
● Graphics, Photography and Drone Technology (Level 2 and 3)
● eSports Business, Industry and Tourism (Level 3)
● Forensic Accounting (Level 3)
● Fashion Design and Garment Technology (Level 3)
● Cisco Essentials (Level 3)

Kaussar Bashir, Deputy Head of Faculty of South and City College Birmingham said, “With the UK economy set to lose as much as £145 billion in the next ten years because of digital skills shortages, businesses are desperate for digitally savvy graduates. Being such an important growth area, we’re thrilled to be able to offer such a compelling range of courses that not only piques student interests, but that also sets them up for future employment.”