Fully Funded Digital Toolkit for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire businesses
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub has launched its #DoDigital series which offers free, accredited digital training courses, in-business support and live digital seminars to businesses of all sizes across the region.
Back by popular demand, a new enhanced and free package of support learn is now available, offering both support for businesses to update to support their customers and employees in our new digital world, and well as upskill their staff for the future.
Despite digital now needing to be an essential part of every business and every job, just 1 in 10 businesses have taken action to address the widening skills gap that a fifth of businesses have already reported. Those sectors with the highest skills gaps include information and communication; professional, scientific and technical activities; admin; commerce, transport and accommodation and food service and construction.
Alun Rogers, Chair of the LEP said: “We know that digital skills are no longer just relevant to the tech sector but are now a universal requirement for every business across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Not only do roles requiring digital skills pay on average 29% more than roles that don’t, digital skills are a key driver of productivity, social inclusion and readiness for the future of the workforce. Moreover, businesses that don’t do digital will get left behind.
“10 years ago, people hadn’t really heard of Bitcoin or Instagram, but these channels and digital platforms are now part of the business growth machine, and having the skills and confidence to maximise their potential will be what enables companies survive and grow into the future. It’s that important.
“That’s why the LEP’s Growth Hub is really proud to be working with the Chamber of Commerce to bring this training programme to people in the region, and I encourage businesses to get in touch and make the most of the support. It’s never been more important that it has now to Do Digital.”
This year, #DoDigital is also offering eligible businesses the opportunity to take advantage of two days of in-business support from specialist digital transformation experts. These advisors have extensive experience in developing and implementing digital strategies; digital customer journeys; setting up effective ecommerce; utilising appropriate software and technology and setting up effective social media strategies. Their expert input into businesses’ strategies will be guaranteed to help facilitate digital transformation.
Nicola Kent from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub said: “We are really pleased to be launching this brand new digital toolkit for business that is aimed to support SMEs through their digital journey, in line with the Government’s drive on digital transformation. The training programme and toolkit aims to give business owners and their employees new digital skills that can help them grow, innovate and thrive and our expert advisers are on hand to help businesses at every stage of the journey.”
Businesses wanting to find out more about the #DoDigtial programme of support or to sign up to the online training should contact the Growth Hub on 0300 1118002 or visit Business Support in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire – (stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk)
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For press and media enquiries, please contact Rosie Wilson on rosie.wilson@social.co.uk.
Notes to Editors
About the Growth Hub
The Growth Hub was established by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership to play a major role in the drive for strong, sustainable business growth across the LEP area.
It acts as the focal point for businesses that wish to grow by referring them to co-ordinated and cohesive growth programmes, business networks, growth groups and links to specialist information, advice and services.
About the LEP
The LEP supports businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire by working in partnership with organisations across the public and private sectors to drive growth and economic success.
Through our Growth Hub, we provide support to help businesses grow and innovate, creating jobs and economic opportunities.
Through our partnerships with education institutions and skills providers, we are ensuring businesses can find the talent they need to prosper while also developing the workforce of the future.
And, through our investment in transport, training facilities, enterprise zones and other infrastructure, we are enabling communities across our region to thrive and making Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire an attractive place for people to live, work and do business.
We also represent Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s interests nationally, providing a voice for local businesses to ensure that central government policy meets the specific needs of our region and securing major investment for our area.
