Students from across Tauranga and the Western Bay are being given the chance to launch their careers in the creative industries by entering a prestigious competition.

The Q Awards are for 16-18-year-olds, with last year's inaugural awards attracting entries from nine Bay schools in fields that included graphic work, moving image, photography, architecture, and product.

Prizes last year included internships at local businesses, and financial support ranging from $250 to $6500 for equipment needed to further a creative career.

'The Q Awards can provide a stepping stone towards future employment for young people,” says Quentin van Heerden, whose Tauranga-based digital agency Quentosity set up the awards.

'Entries are judged by established industry professionals, looking for work that meets a very high standard.

'The 2021 awards showed us the depth of creative young talent that's out there in the Bay. We can't wait to see entries for this year's awards and wish all participants the best of success.”

Full details about the categories and entry criteria are on the Q Awards website at: www.qawards.co.nz

Entries, which are submitted on the website, close November 6, ahead of an awards event set to be held early-December.