Each year, BIMA facilitates sending industry professionals into schools to deliver pre-planned lessons and to inspire students to innovate and explore digital opportunities. 20,000 students have taken part since the day started, with 90% saying they would consider a career in digital as a result of their experiences.

This week BIMA has announced the winners of its nationwide competition, choosing from over 300 entries.

Vodafone, BBC Studios and the FA all set real-world briefs for students to tackle for 2018, and in November, tech experts from each company visited schools across the country to work with 13-16-year olds on digital solutions. The prizes include a cash reward for the winning school and opportunities to make their designs a reality. In the past, rewards have included tours of Microsoft HQ and Channel 4 studios.

This year the prizes went to student teams from the Burgess Hill Academy in Sussex, Abbot's Lea School in Liverpool and London’s Westminster Academy. In response to Vodafone’s brief to make the High street accessible to those with disabilities, the team from Burgess Hill Academy designed a VR game for people on the autism spectrum who might find going shopping stressful or overwhelming. Neil Blagden, director of digital & commercial Operations at Vodafone UK said, “We loved the energy, enthusiasm and creativity the students showed in their entries.”

For many young people, a career in digital industries seems unreachable. The purpose of digital day is to encourage students to engage with digital technologies in a creative way. Nicolle Maltwood, now head of operations at FundingTec, took part in BIMA’s Digital Day in 2012. She said, “I really struggled in school. I had taken IT at both GCSE and A-Level but neither course spurred on my enjoyment for IT and the course curriculum was way behind the industry. BIMA Digital Day opened my eyes to the fact that I could have a creative and challenging career.”

To read more about BIMA's Digital Day, click here