IT Apprenticeships Event - Leeds 22nd April

There will be an event in Leeds on the 22nd April specifically for IT companies to find out about apprenticeships. The event is free and you get fed - what more could you ask for :-)

I'm particularly supportive of this as I was first employed through a University placement (not quite the same but sort of) at Hewlett Packard and if it hadn't been for that I would never have gotten my first job after university at Planet Online, and if it hadn't been for that I would never have ended up at RIPE NCC, and on and on!

So if you're an IT organisation I encourage you to sign up for the event at:

http://www.digital2020.org.uk/skills/strands/apprenticeships

Places are limited.

Electric Works Opening Party

Just a quick blog to let people know about the Electric Works opening party on Friday 27th March 5pm - 9pm. The event will include a one-off sky bar with views over the city, a Wii bowling competition, various installations and an opportunity to have a tour around the building.

For anyone who hasn't been to see the building I really recommend going for a look round, not just for people who are thinking of office space but also for the conference / event facilities which are really great and I think will become a very well used venue.

Of course the icing on the cake is the very well publicised helter skelter and i've been reliably informed that you will be able to try it out on the night - again I can't recommend this enough, it's so fast it took my breath away!!

If you want to attend you can RSVP at openingparty@electric-works.net or call 0114 286 6200

Digital Awards - the shortlisted nominees

Well the shortlists for the Yorkshire Digital Awards are finally in and congratulations to everyone who has made it this far:

Best Web Design Company
Shortlist: Quba, Numiko, Coolpink, twentysix Leeds, Clever Clover

Best IT Consultancy
Shortlist: P2 Technologies, Sleek Networks, Save9, NetConstruct, Blue Chip

Best Business-to-Business Website
Shortlist: www.myjobgroup.co.uk, www.9xb.com, www.vivid-display.com, www.mckinnon-clarke.co.uk, www.openpaymentsystem.com

Best Business-to-Consumer Website
Shortlist: www.subspecies.co.uk, www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk, www.lafitness.co.uk, www.streetshirts.co.uk, www.mind-the-gap.org.uk

Best Application of Internet Technology
Shortlist: Pilot Theatre, Harvard Engineering, aql, Patient Opinion, H2R

Best Digital Start-Up
Shortlist: BrandNew, The Precious Monkey Jewellery, Tierlinear/s3crm, The Digital Consortium

Best Game
Shortlist: Harry Putter’s Crazy Golf (Limelight Software), Pencil Rebel (Model No 1)

Best Entertainment Site
Shortlist: www.pilot–theatre.com, www.getyourheadroundit.co.uk, www.britanniahigh.com, www.freebingo.co.uk, celebrity.itv.com

Best E-learning Initiative
Shortlist: www.training-pod.com (Mezzo Films), www.getyourheadroundit.co.uk (Get Your Head Round It), www.asda-thebinks.co.uk (MadeByPi), www.radiowaves.co.uk (Synergy TV), www.ecgskills.net (Medcom)

Best Application of Mobile Technology
Shortlist: Blink, An Agency Called England, Sense Internet, 3Squared

Best New Talent
For the first time this year we have been working with tutors in colleges and universities across the Yorkshire and Humber region for this award and the winner will be announced at the award ceremony.

There is certainly a good mix of companies amongst the shortlists, demonstrating just how many exciting companies are here in the region. I shall of course keep you posted on the winners to be announced in May.