Reading-based Digital Gum offers free digital skills training

Reading-based Digital Gum, created to help apprentices and people returning to work fast-track their digital careers, has recently secured funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the European Social Fund to allow the offer of free training.

Teaching digital skills to build confidence and help make the re-launch journey less daunting, this four-week course (two hours twice a week) will see applicants work on local charity projects – giving hands-on experience in the real world.

Training is given in bite-sized chunks and modules include :

• An introduction to social media marketing and how it’s used in business
• New apps used by the digital community to win new customers
• SEO – why should we care?
• Data visualisation tools to make stats look beautiful
• Web content management and building website tools
• Employability skills including: the magical art of CV writing, interview skills and how to build an online profile – attractive to prospective employers
• Work on real projects across the four weeks to use learning in real-life applications.
• Document progress through a diary that will give a digital footprint to showcase to prospective employers.

The free places are available for those who are economically inactive in Berkshire. If you are interested in applying or know someone who might be interested simply email Digital Gum to learn more.

‘Groundwork is the administrator for the ESFA Community Training Grants Programme in Berkshire. More information at https://www.groundwork.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/south-grants/esfa-grants-thames-valley/’