Winchester City Council’s new skills programme aims to tackle the digital divide
Winchester City Council is to launch a new programme to improve the digital skills of the district’s residents and tackle the issue of digital exclusion.
Currently 18% of UK adults lack the essential digital skills that are needed for the workplace (source: Lloyds Consumer Index 2023) and 22% of people in the UK do not have the essential digital skills needed for everyday life (source: NHS Digital).
The Essential Digital Skills development programme, which launches on Monday 7 October 2024, aims to help Winchester district residents of all ages and circumstances overcome challenges they may be facing, build resilience, improve confidence and gain support in developing critical digital skills.
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This will include: helping older generations feel more connected to the digital age; improving all residents’ lives through enabling access to education, employment and volunteering opportunities; and supporting the move into higher quality jobs and further training opportunities within the district.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Hampshire-based digital training specialists WorkAdvisor Ltd. They will offer tailored one-to-one sessions, workshops and will run Microsoft Office-accredited courses. Residents taking part will use refurbished laptops to build the confidence they need to better understand digital platforms.
The Essential Digital Skills development programme has received £50,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Culture Councillor Lucille Thompson said:
“Research tells us that the Winchester district suffers from the digital divide and digital poverty just as much as other parts of the country; 84% of respondents to the Economy Team’s A Digital Winchester District survey agreed that digital skills tutoring and sessions would be helpful.
“The Essential Digital Skills development programme is a great initiative that tackles the root causes of digital exclusion and will help our residents to get online safely and securely to discover all that digital has to offer, from keeping in touch with friends and relatives to applying for a job.”
Director of Workadvisor Ltd Philip Price said:
“We will be in the community delivering this development programme until the end of January 2025. District residents will gain experience in the basics, for example, how to use a laptop, set up and use email as well as a range of useful everyday applications including managing health, shopping, banking and paying bills.
“Residents will experience how to search and apply for jobs, as well as some fun things! There will be the opportunity for free progression courses and self-paced learning for all.”
To find out more and register for a one-to-one or group workshop, or to refer a friend or relative:
Visit https://www.winchester.gov.uk/business/employment/get-into-work
Email info@workadvisor.co.uk
Call 02381 550223