Coventry students set to showcase talents at UK’s biggest careers event

Talented Coventry students from a variety of courses are set to represent the city at a major skills conference.

Coventry College is sending a range of students covering subjects such as games, interactive media and performing arts to WSUK Live, the UK’s largest skills, apprenticeship and careers event, held at Birmingham NEC on November 15-17.

Those who attend on behalf of the college will be showcasing projects, mingling with fellow students from around the country and learning more about what is required to forge a career in their favoured industry over the two days.

Nathan Johnson, 17, is among the Level 3 Games and Interactive Media students who will be attending and will showcase his nostalgic adventure game The Setup.

He said: “We work hard in classes to come up with the character designs, storylines and more for our games, we have to create a whole world of our own sometimes.

“We are looking to break into this industry and attending events like this should give us a good idea of what opportunities there are out there to make a living from doing what we love.”

Shoubna Naika-Taylor, Course Leader for Games and Web Design at Coventry College, said: “We have some really talented young students who are eager to create and keen to learn more about the working environment.

“There is a thriving technology industry in the Coventry and Warwickshire area which they are aiming to become a part of.

“Events such as WSUK allow them to network and learn more about the ins and outs of the industry, as well as present their work, which helps build confidence.”

Performing arts students will be taking a bit of glitz and glamour to the event, including Level 3 Musical Theatre students Rachel Oshakuade and Jordan Trubshaw, who will performing songs from hit musicals Hamilton and Dreamgirls.

Rachel said: “It is a great opportunity for us to perform in front of a big crowd and get some feedback from people in the performing arts world.

“We have been rehearsing our pieces as much as we can and we are ready to go.”

Laura Johnson, Programme Manager for Creative & Performing Arts, added: “For our performing arts students, this is a chance to really showcase their talents and make an impression in front of people who they could well end up working with or alongside in years to come.”

More than 100 leading employers, colleges and universities will come together to share job, education and apprenticeship opportunities at WSUK Live.