Time to get
BY JULIE BURNISTON
TECH SAVVY
Boost confidence and bridge tech gaps with a free digital skills course
New College Durham is offering a comprehensive range of
free digital programmes aimed at upskilling employees of all abilities and allowing companies to bridge any digital gaps in their workforce .
The wide-ranging , completely remote and fully accredited programmes are delivered by professional , qualified staff and are available to those in employment or on furlough living in Durham and the wider North-East .
Once you have achieved your qualification you will get a certificate and a digital badge which you can display on your LinkedIn profile .
Veronica Spowart , New College Durham ’ s advanced curriculum manager , computer and digital industries , says : “ Since the first lockdown the tech sector has surged forward , with the majority of the population now using technology in some form every day .
“ Our programmes encourage people of all ages and experience to gain confidence and improve their digital skills completely free of charge .
“ Simply choose a course that suits your abilities , upload supporting evidence to show that you are working or furloughed and live in the correct catchment area , then start your course from home .”
All training , registration and certification costs are supported by the European Social Fund .
The programmes available range from the basic - using the internet , computer and online skills , through to intermediate - word processing and spreadsheets - right up to advanced - Microsoft Office Specialist ( MOS ) and European Computer Driving Licence ( ECDL ) qualifications , so there is something to suit everyone , with bespoke courses also offered for larger employers .
Once registered , every student will be allocated a personal tutor and given a suggested completion period for their programme .
Explains Veronica : “ The recommended course time is six weeks if you are committed , but it really depends on your skills already and
the time you are able to dedicate to the programme .” What excites Veronica most about this fantastic training offer is the opportunity it offers to support levelling up .
“ The North-East has always been rich in creative industries such as drama and the arts , and these are the people who are really struggling due to the pandemic ,” she says .
“ Along with industries such as hairdressing , these courses will help when trading is allowed to start again .
“ Luckily , anyone from any industry is eligible to enrol on a course , and most people can gain significantly from finding out how to do their accounts online and how to work better digitally .
“ Even those who may not have used tech much before will find it useful . Our basic course , which teaches people to be secure online and be more tech-savvy when it comes to recognising things such as phishing emails , is invaluable .”
To learn more about the courses on offer and which would suit you best , Veronica and her team are running information events each Thursday at 4pm , encompassing a simple PowerPoint presentation and a question-and-answer session .
To register to attend an information event , visit : newcollegedurham . ac . uk / news-events / college-events / durham-digital-training /
This project is funded by the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England
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