The Potteries played host to the Minister responsible for Tech and the Digital Economy, Saqib Bhatti, today [8/04/2024] in a huge boost for the city’s thriving digital skills industry. The Minister visited Wavemaker in Uttoxeter, Carse & Waterman & Spode Works, The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Staffordshire University.
Jonathan Gullis, a founding member of the Silicon Stoke board said he was “delighted” for the Minister to visit the Potteries.
The November 2022 Press Start Report (written by Dr Richard Wilson) identified market opportunities for video games development in Stoke-on-Trent. For example, with Staffordshire University being placed 1st in the UK in the Rookies World School rankings for Games Design & Development in 2023 and the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College offering Digital T Levels, there is a clear pathway from school to university and into employment.
Commenting, Saqib Bhatti, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said: “It was fantastic to visit Stoke-on-Trent to see the tech revolution happening in the Potteries. Silicon Stoke will deliver brand new high-skilled and high-wage jobs and drive growth and investment in the area.”
“With the local MPs helping to spearhead this project, I am excited to see what the future holds for Silicon Stoke.”
Commenting, Jonathan Gullis MP said: “Silicon Stoke is about delivering more high skilled, and high wage jobs in the local area. Stoke-on-Trent’s history is steeped in the creative industries, and by being the home to the UK leading university for video game courses, and Digital T-Levels at the 6th Form College, we have the local education able to instil the skills in our young people to go get these jobs.”
“We also have the businesses like Carse & Waterman, award winning animators, and the UK’s largest digital advertising agency in VCCP who have made their second home in Stoke-on-Trent.”
“I was proud to set up the Silicon Stoke board with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, bringing together both the public and private sector to help unleash the digital revolution across our city, and I’m delighted to Minister for the chance to see all we’ve achieved under the radar to date, and hope he will not help us expand the opportunities available to us.”