Calderdale College unveils plans for 'Mill Studios' at Halifax event

Calderdale College unveiled its plans for the brand-new campus, Mill Studios, at Dean Clough earlier in March at an exclusive event for businesses across the creative and digital sector in West Yorkshire.

CanCan Productions, West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, Bauer Media, Northern Rail, The Piece Hall and Northern Broadside Theatre Company were amongst those from industry that attended on the night to signal their support for the facility.

The College has secured more than £700,000 of government funding through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to bring high-tech facilities to Calderdale, which will give students the latest skills and knowledge in gaming and TV & film, ready for higher studies or employment.

The funding helps meet the demands that have been identified within the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan, and aims to tackle skill shortages by responding to employers’ needs and giving young people the skills to get good jobs and increase their prospects.

The event showcased the three new innovative courses, Esports, Games Design and T Lvel Media, that will be housed in the idyllic mill complex. Industry leaders were able to meet the teaching team at the College and take part in activities, from games and character design stations to esports tournaments and a TV production studio, that demonstrated the state-of-the-art equipment the students will be learning with.

Kirklees College and Leeds City College also attended to highlight their developments in music production and upgrading digital infrastructure that are also funded through the LSIF creative budget for West Yorkshire.

Construction at the site starts this week, which will transform the third floor of D Mill at Dean Clough into professional work spaces, studios and gaming classrooms for students aged 16+ to benefit.

To find out more about Mill Studios, visit: www.calderdale.ac.uk/departments/millstudios/