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A new programme to plug digital skills gaps identified by Greater Manchester employers has secured funding to provide training to around 2,000 city-region workers.
UK Skills Academy, has been awarded a £2 million contract of European Social Funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority as part of its three-year Skills for Growth programme, to deliver its ‘Digital Skills Growth & Productivity’ course, supporting the city-region’s SMEs to develop the technical skills needed to thrive.
The free training workshops of one to five days will support business leaders looking to move services and products online, a process that has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees working at businesses based within Greater Manchester in digital roles can also gain access to training to develop practical skills across cybersecurity, data analysis, information governance and digital marketing.
Cllr Andrew Western, Greater Manchester’s lead for digital, work and skills said:
“In Greater Manchester, we’re committed to empowering people and developing local talent to give residents the confidence and skills they need to further their careers, while ensuring local businesses have access to the best resources.
“Skills for Growth is truly employer-led and responds directly to the gaps businesses in our priority sectors have identified.
“This is one of the first digital packages we have commissioned through the programme, which will give business leaders vital knowledge to make actionable change within their organisations so they can adapt and deliver in an evolving digital world.”
UK Skills Academy will work in partnership with five other providers across the city-region including: Growth Company, The Coders Guild, Apprentify, Manchester Digital and Back 2 Work Group.
Gemma Beech, MD at UK Skills Academy, said:
“I am delighted that we have been appointed as the lead partner on this exciting digital commission.
“Our own experience and high-quality digital provision, along with our selected partners, are the right fit to respond to the needs of Greater Manchester’s digital skills shortages.
“Employers have consistently reported that they need support in developing technical skills and that demand industry-wide is expected to keep on growing.
“We have a of wealth of experience, innovative ideas and proven success in this sector and are look forward to welcoming our learners.”
To find out more about Digital Skills Growth & Productivity or to express an interest in one of these courses, visit the UK Skills Academy website.