Digital students put cyber skills to the test at The Quad
Telford College students have been putting their cyber skills to the test by taking part in a national ‘hackathon’ challenge at The Quad in Station Quarter.
Level three digital students tackled a series of tasks as part of the WorldSkills UK Cyber Hackathon.
The event allows learners from across the country to showcase their skills and talents in cyber security.
The Quad is a state-of-the art digital skills and enterprise hub which is part of a wider academic campus being developed in the heart of Telford.
Funded by Telford & Wrekin Council & UK Government, in partnership with Telford College, Harper Adams University, Invest Telford and European Innovation, The Quad aims to retain local talent, be the catalyst for creating careers in applied sciences and the digital sector and is expected to host more than 300 students a year.
The Quad gives students who live in the south of the borough an excellent, high quality education provision on their doorstep which is more easily accessible than the main Telford College and Harper Adams sites in Wellington and Newport.
Station Quarter is all part of a wider Investing in Telford and Wrekin programme which is transforming other areas including Oakengates and Wellington - creating a better borough for everyone.
Elisabet Basford, Telford College Digital Lecturer, said:
“We had 30 of our learners taking part this year, which is the highest number ever, and they thoroughly enjoyed the challenges.
“It was an opportunity for them to develop their skills, embrace innovation, and collaborate with like-minded individuals to solve real-world problems.
“The challenges included searching JavaScript for passwords to break into various systems, a forensic task which included searching for deleted files, and various code breaking challenges.”
The hackathon, spread across three days, presented students with a variety of challenges of increasing difficulty, with those who capture the most ‘flags’ securing the top positions on the national leaderboard.
Adam Standler, one of the students who took part, said:
"I particularly enjoyed the flag activity where we had to read through code in Java script and identify four flags which gave us a password to unlock the task.”
Mateen Padela, Director of Security Impossible which supported the event, said:
“Cyber security is a journey filled with numerous intriguing virtual stops, each offering unique lessons.
“The foundation of this journey is built on diverse security pillars. Participating in a hackathon engages you in various ways and stimulates your mind to think outside the box.
“It’s common to encounter roadblocks and feel stuck; however, remaining open to learning and adapting enables you to continue making progress. The goal isn’t to find all the answers but to understand that each answer you uncover requires a depth of knowledge.”
Suresh Kumar, WorldSkills UK International Training Manager, added:
“Success in a hackathon more than just writing code or discovering flags; it’s about the connections you build, the ideas you spark, and the enthusiasm you unleash.”
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment & Skills, said:
“It’s fantastic to see students from across Telford and Wrekin learning new skills at The Quad – a wonderful education facility at Station Quarter.
“These courses can improve young people’s skills and raise their aspirations and be the springboard to a very successful career.
“As well as giving learners of all ages the opportunity to study courses delivered by Telford College and Harper Adams University, the facility is also the perfect space to help businesses develop and flourish in Telford and Wrekin.”