The Martínez Foundation, in collaboration with Marina Innova Hub, organized for the second consecutive year in Arrecife a free video game development workshop by the hand of the professor specialized in technology Fernando Posada.
The workshop was carried out within the framework of the global initiative "Hour of Code" and during three intensive sessions, which totaled 7 hours, provided training to students of 4th, 5th and 6th grade from 10 educational centers in Lanzarote.
The main objective of the workshop was to introduce young people, aged between 9 and 12 years, to the exciting world of programming and video game design.
Through this program, a total of 42 attendees learned from basic programming concepts to the creation of interactive characters and scenarios, thus exploring new creative possibilities in the digital world.
At the end of the sessions, all students received a commemorative diploma for their participation in the event.
In addition to acquiring technical skills, the workshop promoted collaboration and teamwork among participants, strengthening their social skills and preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century.
At least 10,000 vacancies in the technology sector
On the other hand, this training action responds to the growing demand for professionals with STEAM profiles in Spain, where there are at least 10,000 vacancies in the technology sector due to lack of qualification, according to a study by DigitalES.
Despite the high demand, the number of students enrolled in technical careers has fallen by 28% in the last decade, with this fall being even more pronounced among girls with 33%, according to data from the Ministry of Education. The main reason for this decrease is the perception of academic difficulty and the lack of guidance and knowledge about professional opportunities in these areas.
Catalina Martínez, president of the Martínez Foundation, stated: "We have to continue dedicating efforts so that new generations can take advantage of the job opportunities offered by the digital age. Video game development is a growing industry that needs very versatile profiles."
For his part, Fernando Posada stated that "thanks to initiatives such as The Hour of Code it is possible to respond to the demands of children, young people and families to achieve a safer, more responsible and constructive use of technologies."
The Hour of Code is a global initiative promoted by the non-profit organization Code.org that aims to promote computer science among young people, with the idea of demystifying programming and demonstrating that everyone can learn to program.
