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The Adobe Certified Associate World Championship is a global competition that identifies and honours the next generation of design professionals using Adobe software.  The Regional Final brought together the 20 finalists at an event hosted by Adobe UK on June 16, 2016 to determine the UK & Ireland Champion. 

The 2016 UK & Ireland Champion won the trip of a lifetime (sponsored by Prodigy Learning) to represent the region and compete at the final round of the World Championship in Orlando, Florida. 

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) certification demonstrates proficiency in Adobe's digital communication tools i.e. Creative Cloud. ACA is a prerequisite qualification that students need in order to succeed in the high demand areas of digital communication and media. 

The Adobe ACA Championship is now in its fourth year and is open to students who can enter by taking an eligible Adobe ACA exam during the year.  The Championship is operated in the UK & Ireland by Prodigy Learning.  

Matthew completed the qualifying exam as part of his Foundation Degree during a ‘test fest’ hosted by Belfast Met where students were invited to sit the exam and gain a valuable qualification alongside potential qualification for the UK finals. Matthew qualified in the 2nd round of 10 candidates and attended the Finals in Adobes EMEA HQ on 16th June where the 20 finalists joined with a partner charity and competed in a design challenge where they will be given instructions, project requirements, and assets to complete a real–world design challenge using Adobe Creative Cloud software – this year the chosen charity is Sports Able, a unique sports disability charity, dedicated to the promotion of awareness of disability through sport and recreational activity. 

After an enjoyable but intense industry realistic challenge for the Finals Matthew came second and the judges commended Matthew on his technical ability. 

Ian McCormick, Head of School of Creative & Digital Industries at Belfast Metropolitan College, said: “Belfast Met has a long history of successfully delivering IT Vendor Qualifications and student success in various regional, national and worldwide competitions. We are delighted with the opportunity this will provide for Matthew to further his learning and career in the Digital Media industry and congratulate him on this achievement of being the first competitor from the island of Ireland and coming second in the UK & Ireland finals.” 

Andrew Flood (CEO, Prodigy Learning) said: “It is fantastic to see Matthew become the first student from the island of Ireland to qualify for the Adobe UK & Ireland Championship Final.  Belfast Met continues to lead the way with innovative programmes that incorporate internationally recognised certifications demanded by employers.  Congratulations to Matthew and all the team at Belfast Met!”