Surrey FE Digital Skills Competition at Guildford College

The annual event, organised by the Surrey FE group of colleges, celebrates collaboration and innovation across the region, bringing together learners from creative and digital courses to tackle real-world challenges through technology.  

This year’s theme, “Digital for Good: Shaping Our Connected Future,” challenged teams to develop purpose-driven digital concepts that could positively impact communities, with a strong focus on ethical and socially responsible innovation.  

Finalists from Brooklands Technical College, Activate Learning and East Surrey College presented their ideas to a panel of industry judges during the showcase event on Tuesday 17 March, demonstrating not only technical skill but also creativity, teamwork, and a clear understanding of how digital solutions can address real societal issues. 

Winning innovations 

We’re delighted to announce that, taking first place, was a team of Activate Learning Digital Software Development T Level students with their project ‘A.R.C.H,’ an AI-driven mental health app concept. The judges praised the team’s thoughtful approach to wellbeing, highlighting how the app could support users through intelligent, responsive features designed to improve mental health outcomes. 

Second place was awarded to East Surrey College for CALMI, an AI-assisted, stress-aware communication app. The concept focuses on helping users better express their emotions, offering support in finding the right words to communicate feelings to parents, teachers, and peers—an idea the judges commended for its practical application and strong social impact. 

Activate Learning secured third place with Interest Connect, an app concept designed to bring people together through shared social interests, encouraging meaningful connections and reducing isolation within communities.  

A platform for future talent 

The competition forms part of a wider programme of collaboration between Surrey Colleges, which includes Brooklands Technical College, NESCOT, East Surrey College, and Activate Learning’s Guildford, Merrist Wood, and Farnham Colleges.  

Each year, the event provides students with the opportunity to apply their digital skills in a real-world context, develop confidence in presenting ideas, and engage directly with industry professionals. 

Judges evaluated projects on criteria including innovation, technical execution, relevance to theme, and potential social impact, with a strong emphasis on how effectively students could use digital tools as a force for good.  

Inspiring the next generation 

The standard of innovative entries this year reflected the growing importance of digital skills in addressing global and local challenges. From mental health support to improving communication and fostering community connections, students demonstrated how technology can be harnessed to make a meaningful difference.