Working with global IT and creative industry suppliers, e-SY skills is a major new investment programme in industry training and job opportunities for South Yorkshire's rapidly expanding creative and digital industries.

New specialist centres are being launched to major on different skill areas, giving South Yorkshire across-the-board strength:

> The Barnsley Centre for Digital Specialism : e-commerce, e-marketing, web services and media technologies;

> The Doncaster Digital Knowledge Exchange : creative digital media, including technical skills for games, music, animation, film and virtual reality production;

> Rotherham Vision at the Centre of Excellence for New Technologies (CENT), based at Magna : fixed and wireless networks, mobile and broadband technologies and digital media management;

> The Sheffield College Skills for Business initiative : creative and digital skills in television, photography, journalism and e-learning.

Co-ordinated by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), e-SY skills is part of the Objective 1 Programme in South Yorkshire and is being supported by over £7 million over 14 months from the European Social Fund and Yorkshire Forward.

Benefits for the industry:

> Development of a labour pool with the right skills
> On-the-job training geared to practical business requirements
> Placements and support services to assist business expansion

Benefits for learners:

> Affordable specialist training
> Opportunities to progress with qualifications and careers
> Opportunities to gain jobs in creative and digital industries

> www.e-syskills.net_