TWO college students have secured employment after they successfully completed a digital tourism project.
Carrickfergus Enterprise worked in partnership with the local tourism industry and Northern Regional College (NRC) to produce an interactive digital tourism map of the newly established East Antrim Coastal Way.
NRC Interactive Media students Dylan Rafferty and Phil Smallwood developed the map during a work placement with Carrickfergus-based web hosting and development business Big Wet Fish.
Kelli Bagchus, manager of Carrickfergus Enterprise said: “Throughout the development of the East Antrim Coastal Way we involved as many local people as possible to provide opportunities for the whole community to benefit. Work placements were an ideal way to do this.
“The placement with Big Wet Fish gave these students a platform upon which to build their skills and get on-the-job experience. As a direct result, Dylan and Phil have secured ongoing employment with Big Wet Fish as they prepare to graduate from their course.”
Northern Regional College student Dylan Rafferty added: “The biggest challenge we face as young graduates is building the experience necessary to enhance our career prospects. Spending eight weeks with Big Wet Fish, developing the East Antrim Coastal Way website and interactive map really opened my eyes to the commercial side of the industry.
“As we approach our graduation, we’re now set to leave college with not only some real world experience, but an opportunity to continue to work with Big Wet Fish and further develop its web design business.”
Stephen Kinkaid, owner of Big Wet Fish commented: “Working with Dylan and Phil has allowed us to expand our local web development offering. The Interactive Media course provided them with many of the skills they needed not only to do the job, but also to thrive in a growing business.