Special courses have been launched at Kirklees College to help young people break into the esports and gaming industry.

And now the college has teamed up with esports company Lucent to help inspire the next generation of online gaming talent.

Newly-launched, the esports courses, run from Kirklees College in Huddersfield, will be available at BTEC level 2 and 3 to showcase e-sports and the gaming industry as a viable and inspiring career opportunity.

Esports is competitive online video gaming and the courses will cover all aspects of the esports industry, including games, teams and tournaments, streaming, planning an event, establishing an esports organisation, starting an enterprise and promoting positive health and wellbeing.

Lucent is an esports brand that gives players a platform to game on. Specialising in League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the company is a facilitator of national esports events where players have the opportunity to earn cash prizes.

With a focus on business and enterprise within esports and gaming, Lucent will offer their industry expertise on how to develop a successful esports organisation and provide feedback to students on their own brands.

The professionals from Lucent will also deliver masterclasses on esports and social media, how to run an esports company on a day-to-day basis, as well as judging tournaments hosted by the college.

Kirklees College is looking for the next esports legends

John Shone, study programme lead for esports at Kirklees College, said: “We are excited to be collaborating with Lucent on the delivery of our brand-new esports courses.

“Lucent are experts within their field and we hope our students will be inspired and benefit from their wealth of knowledge.

“Esports is an upcoming and exciting industry and our courses are designed to support students in gaining industry relevant knowledge and skills to forge a successful career within esports.”

William Gleadall, director of operations at Lucent Esports, added: “The prospect of working with Kirklees College excites all the staff at Lucent.

“Working with a local college to help pass on our knowledge and expertise within the industry to students studying the Esports BTEC is vital to us.

“We want to see more local talent move into the industry and secure their dream positions. While working and studying with both Lucent and Kirklees College, we want to see these opportunities given to the students in the future.”

For more information about esports at Kirklees College visit https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/16-18/course/?cid=34266