New Digital Skills Academy empowers Stranmillis students for classrooms of tomorrow

On Tuesday 26 May 2025, final year student teachers from Stranmillis University College became the first cohort to take part in a newly launched Digital Skills Academy course, delivered through the Centre for Digital Innovation and Technology (CDIT).  

This initiative marks a significant step in a collaborative effort between further and higher education providers and industry partners across Northern Ireland to enhance digital skills training. 

Developed in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College as part of the Belfast Digital Skills and Employability Programme—funded by Bank of America—the academy focuses on equipping future educators with the digital competencies necessary for modern classrooms.  

The programme also aligns with the NI Executive’s educational reform strategy, ‘A Fair Start’, which emphasises the importance of training teachers in digital skills to combat educational underachievement. 

Leading the programme for Stranmillis, Head of STEM, Dr Irene Bell said “Stranmillis University College is delighted to be delivering the first course for ITE students of the CDIT Digital Skills Academy. Through this advanced, accredited course, the newly qualified teachers will be ideally positioned to develop the digital skills of the next generation.”  

Among the inaugural participants were Amy Elliott, a final year student in Post-Primary Religious Studies, and Rachel Dunbar, studying Primary Education. In explaining why the signed up to programme, both highlighted the importance of developing digital proficiency to meet the demands of contemporary teaching. 

Diane Atchison, CDIT Project Manager at Belfast Met, added: “I’m proud to collaborate with Stranmillis University College on launching this new CDIT Digital Skills Academy. It’s an important step in empowering future teachers to lead with confidence in the digital age.”