The first of Tauranga's newest digital media designers are all set to graduate, and ACG Yoobee School of Design programme manager Kevin Sharp couldn't be more proud.

It's the first students to graduate from the brand new level 2 vocational pathway programme that started in April.

Tutor Kevin Sharp helps Vocational Pathway Creative Industries (level 2) student Georgia Corby. Photo: Supplied.

The programme, targeted at creative 16-19 year olds, is a 24-week course, and is described as the perfect introduction to creative industries, covering everything from design principles, graphic design and web design to filmmaking and animation.

It is the first course to be approved in New Zealand that offers a vocational pathway programme into these fields.

Some 18 students will graduate this year, and Kevin says he couldn't be more proud of what they have achieved.

'It's sort of one of the only courses of its kind in the Bay of Plenty,” he explains. 'There are not many providers offering design foundation programmes. I'm very proud of these students – they are producing some fabulous work.”

Kevin says the programme is an exciting development that would bring big benefits to school leavers in the Bay of Plenty.

'This is a fantastic pathway into further study and employment in the creative industries,” he adds. 'Until now Bay of Plenty residents have had to move to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to take this step.”

And he should know. Originally from the UK, and winner of the British Aerospace Gold Award for Innovation, Kevin has spent the last 15 years based in Auckland, inspiring students and leading design companies with his visionary work.

Kevin says the level 2 programme targets youth keen to find their creative strengths, and offers the opportunity to learn design skills from a diverse range of media.

'The design industry has grown massively over the past 15 years,” says Kevin, 'as has the demand for young professional designers.

'The need for young people to be able to prove their skills with a decent portfolio has never been greater. It's a very competitive market out there.”

After graduating with their level 2 qualification, students can staircase into ACG Yoobee's Level 3 Certificate in Digital Media (iCreate).

Currently available in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the course is tipped to be launched in Tauranga later this year.

Graduation will be held at ACG Tauranga on Keenan Rd, Payes Pa on Tuesday September 15, at 6pm.