European fund boosts Codeworks’ jobs drive
Dec 24 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
A PROJECT which aims to boost the region’s burgeoning digital sector by creating 80 new jobs and assisting 120 North East businesses has won £733,000 in new European investment.
Sunderland-based digital innovation centre Codeworks has secured new funding to continue with its programme, which brings together SMEs with the latest digital knowledge and creativity from local universities.
Since 2004 the Digital placement and knowledge transfer project has placed more than 350 students and graduates in North East technology-based firms, with 85% kept on by their host company or securing permanent work elsewhere in the region's digital sector.
The new investment will help Codeworks tap into graduate knowledge and cutting edge research to help SMEs collaborate with the region’s five universities and further develop the North East’s thriving digital industry cluster.
The project will bring industry and the universities closer together to address specific technology needs of SMEs and provide technical solutions by finding graduates with the appropriate digital know-how to undertake specific projects designed and developed by individual businesses.
Codeworks CEO Herb Kim said: “For the past four years our placement schemes have helped the region’s digital sector to grow by giving businesses access to the fresh new talent they need to develop and compete.
“Without ERDF funding it would have been difficult to continue to support this number of SMEs, so this investment from Europe is most welcome.
“We cannot afford for SMEs to lose out on talented graduates who can contribute to boosting productivity and innovation in digital business.”
Digital games companies which already have a successful track record in the region are also expected to benefit.
The new European funding for Codeworks follows the news earlier this month that the University of Teesside’s Institution of Digital Innovation will receive £1.9m European cash injection. The money will help launch the second key phase of the IDI project, which began in 2005 with the provision of business accommodation and concept-testing facilities.
