Stockport launch digital Silver iDEA award

The Silver iDEA award, The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, has been launched in Stockport to recognise an advance in digital skills. 

iDEA is a fun way to grow more confident with technology, learn new digital skills, get better at things you already know a bit about or discover talents you didn’t know you had. iDEA is for everyone, no matter what level of digital skills you have, and it’s totally free!

There are now 2 levels of iDEA Award available – Bronze & Silver – and you work towards each award by earning badges online as you learn new skills. Each badge carries points and when you earn enough points, you will receive the award. The Bronze Award is targeted at beginner level. The Silver Award which has just been launched is aimed at intermediate level. The Gold Award, for advanced level learners will be available in 2019.

Councillor Elise Wilson, Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance at Stockport Council said:

“iDEA badges are fun and flexible, covering a wide range of bite size topics. This Silver Award is great news for all our iDEA learners in Stockport who have already mastered the beginners’ level and are ready to take on intermediate learning challenges.”

Congratulations are already in order for Stockport Council employees Sarah Herdan and Erika Siemaszko who were amongst the first in the world to receive the new Silver iDEA award.

Erika, a Higher Apprentice in Economy, Work & Skills commented:

“The Silver Award has taken my digital skills to a new level. There was a lot to learn but the iDEA badge format kept it interesting and fun and really encouraged me to push myself to learn new skills such as coding. It’s definitely opened up new career options for me.”

Anyone who wants to make a start with iDEA can sign up at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/idea and earn an exclusive Digital Stockport badge that gives you points towards your Bronze award.

All you need is an email address and access to the internet.

Councillor Wilson adds:

“If you need some help getting online, all libraries in Stockport have free computers and Wi-Fi for you to use. There are also staff on hand to help you get started.”

Image caption: Start earning iDEA badges towards your Bronze or Silver Award.