Pioneering Partnership Enhances Student Learning and Industry Engagement
Black Nova Designs, a leading IT and web design firm based in Wiltshire, has become the first-ever sponsor of the esports team at the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology. This groundbreaking collaboration extends beyond sponsorship, offering students hands-on learning, industry mentoring, and real-world exposure to the esports and technology sectors.
Beyond Sponsorship: A Commitment to Student Success
Since the partnership began in 2023, Black Nova Designs has actively supported the esports programme, providing team jerseys, engaging in classroom discussions, and collaborating with educators to help students develop crucial industry skills.
Esports teacher Chris Baxter praised the company’s involvement and thanked Black Nova Designs’ founders, Kyle and Danielle Holmes: “We are incredibly grateful to have Black Nova Designs as a sponsor. Danielle and Kyle’s passion for esports and education has been instrumental in providing our students with their own jerseys while also inspiring ideas to grow esports within our college and the wider community. We are excited to strengthen this partnership and create even more opportunities for our learners.”
Sponsoring Events and Industry Exposure
As part of the esports curriculum, Level 3 students have been working on event planning and management, leading to the creation of an in-person Valorant Tournament on 17 March at the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology’s New College campus.
Black Nova Designs sponsored the event, providing trophies in collaboration with Tilia Craft, a valued client. Their involvement ensured that students gained hands-on event management experience, a critical skill in both esports and the wider technology industry.
Continuing their commitment to the esports community, the college will host an Esports Mixer Networking Event on 26 March from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event will bring together educators, industry professionals, and gaming enthusiasts to explore the role of esports in education and its potential to develop key digital and business skills.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
Beyond esports, Black Nova Designs is actively involved in shaping students’ IT and digital careers. Danielle and Kyle Holmes recently visited the college for an open discussion with T-Level Digital Support students, sharing insights into IT careers, answering questions, and offering first-hand industry knowledge.
In December, Black Nova Designs took its involvement a step further by inviting esports students to their company’s Christmas staff party, where they participated in a morning of gaming. This initiative reinforced teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while strengthening the bond between students and industry professionals.
Hands-On Learning: ‘Build a PC’ Event
As part of its mission to enhance technical education, Black Nova Designs is launching a ‘Build a PC’ event. Students will assemble PCs from individual components under the guidance of Kyle Holmes, developing practical skills essential for careers in IT support, gaming, and technology development.
The fastest students will have the opportunity to assist in a larger-scale PC-building charity event later this year, gaining further industry experience while contributing to a charitable cause.
Explaining his motivation for the initiative, Kyle Holmes shared: “I started teaching PC building to young students because I wanted to bridge the gap between simply using technology and truly understanding it. Many IT professionals don’t fully grasp the technology behind their systems. This partnership is about equipping students with the core knowledge they need for gaming, IT support, and future careers in tech.”
Shaping the Future of Esports and Technology
With plans to expand the ‘Build a PC’ initiative and maintain active involvement in college-led esports events, Black Nova Designs is proving to be a key player in fostering the next generation of tech and gaming professionals.
Founded in 2015 and based in Calne, Black Nova Designs has grown into a trusted name in IT solutions, web design, and hosting. By bridging the gap between education and real-world industry practices, the company continues to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to excel in esports, IT, and beyond.