Get involved in Greater Manchester’s first ever Digital Skills Day

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have announced the city-region’s first ever Digital Skills Day, set to take place on Friday 7 February.

Greater Manchester (GM) Digital Skills Day is being launched by GMCA as part of a drive to get people of all ages excited about digital skills and highlight opportunities to grow and showcase their talents.

Organisations, schools, groups and residents across the city-region are being encouraged to get involved.

Any individual, group, organisation or event can take part by committing to hosting a digital activity on the day or tweeting about their digital skills initiative. There’s no limit on the skills you need or activities you can do, whether it be hosting a hackathon, a lunch-and-learn talk about internet safety, or teaching a family member how to use new apps or get on the internet for the very first time.

To download the asset pack and for details and tips on how to get involved, visit www.gmdigitalskills.com/gm-digital-skills-day/.

Ideas for how to be a part of GM Digital Skills Day include:

• Hold a digital skills hour in your school or workplace
• Run a lunchtime hackathon
• Host a workshop
• Organise a cybersecurity talk
• Run a coding club
• Teach someone how to access email

You can share your efforts on social media using #GMDigitalSkillsDay and by tagging @greatermcr and @GMCADigital.

GM Digital Skills day will follow the launch of the Greater Manchester Digital Blueprint, which will set out the city-region’s digital ambitions and showcase some of the fantastic opportunities available to drive diverse tech talent and leadership into the industry, as well as greater inclusion and literacy in an evolving digital world.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Here in Greater Manchester, as always, we’re leading the way and Doing Digital Differently. We are investing in building a digital economy, attracting new businesses here, encouraging those we have to grow, and at the same time we’re putting a lot of investment into giving our people the digital skills that they’re going to need so that anybody, from any background, any community, can make their way in the digital economy.

“This special day will celebrate all things digital, and we want to create a real buzz about digital skills right across our city-region.”

Cllr Elise Wilson, GMCA Lead for the Digital portfolio, said: “Greater Manchester has long been at the heart of industrial innovation, and our vision is to become a world-leader in developing and harnessing digital technologies that benefit our people and places, delivering excellent public services, and supporting our thriving digital and tech sectors.”

Cllr Sean Fielding, GMCA Lead for Work and Skills, said: “Everyone can get involved in Digital Skills Day, whether you’re an expert programmer teaching others to code or just want to learn how to use a new app on your phone.

“Digital skills are so important for connecting people, accessing services, and finding new solutions to everything from local issues to major global challenges. We want people all across Greater Manchester to feel confident in showcasing their digital skills and gaining new ones.”

For more information, get in touch at GMCADigital@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or visit www.gmdigitalskills.com/gm-digital-skills-day/.

Article Published: 17/01/2020 14:02 PM