TEENAGERS looking for a future in digital breakthroughs like YouTubing, vlogging or gaming are being offered a chance to take part in a project to build a generation of tech entrepreneurs in West Somerset.

‘Studio Digital’ - supported by the West Somerset Opportunity Area - aims to encourage the potential of the “internet generation”, and young people aged 14 to 18 will attend ten workshops between April and July at Contains Art in Watchet to learn from experts how to make films, design websites, create trending zines or vlogs, develop apps and other digital creative skills.

A Studio Digital spokesman said the project aimed to give youngsters confidence to follow their digital dreams by looking at the opportunities and pitfalls of the growing tech industry and the gaming revolution.

Naomi Griffith, project manager at Contains Art, added: “We want to take young people on a journey to discover their own digital and creative entrepreneurial potential, to build a generation of young people with the skills and confidence to establish and run their own companies.

“ Social media gives young people opportunities that weren’t always possible.

“We’re also committed to working towards the establishment of a West Somerset Digital and Creative Agency, offering digital and creative services with a talent pool that’s added to year on year as the scheme develops.”

West Somerset Opportunity Area funding was awarded to Contains Art – a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Watchet - phased over two years to deliver its Studio Digital project to four groups of students.

Information is going out to parents and carers of pupils at West Somerset College in Minehead and Years 10-12 will be shown a video of what’s on offer to encourage them to sign up.

The Studio Digital spokesman added: “Participants will visit tech start-ups in the South West and pupils will be able to offer their own social media services to Somerset businesses as well as becoming social media trainers themselves to spread and embed the value in the local community.

“Businesses can ‘talent spot’ amongst young people who would not normally have access to these kinds of connections.”