Trafford College has launched a Microsoft Imagine Academy, part of a £120,000 investment to provide students with an advanced set of digital skills.

As part of the event, the world's first augmented reality headset was unveiled. The Microsoft HoloLens will be used to teach students how to engage with digital content and interact with virtual holograms.

Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, attended the launch last week which was held at the college's main campus, in the new tech hub.

He said: "City centre businesses say £40,000 and £50,000 jobs aren't being filled because the pipeline isn't bringing people with the right skills through.

"It's not because the young people of Manchester aren't talented enough, it's simply that people aren't aware of the opportunities out there.

"We have to make sure young people can access those opportunities, and this seems like this new programme will do that. It fits perfectly with our vision for Greater Manchester."

Trafford Council Leader Sean Anstee also backed the launch, reinforcing the importance of equipping young people with a digital skill set: "Digital skills are a key priority for the development of students, staff and the wider community.

"We want to empower individuals to be confident in this increasingly digital world and achieve their career goals, giving them the competitive edge in the job market or the next step in their education."

By graduating through the Microsoft Academy programme, students and staff will gain skills across four key areas of computer science; IT, infrastructure, data science and productivity.

James Scott, Vice Principal at Trafford College said: "Right now more than 100 students are enrolled on Microsoft Academy courses, however by next year we're expecting to have over 2,500 enrolled.

"We want every single person who attends the college to leave with the digital skills employers need."

The digital entitlement provided by the academy also extends out to staff, to support them in delivering the new digital curriculum and to develop their teaching in line with educational technology.