Interim Mayor Tony Lloyd visits Google Digital Garage

Interim Greater Manchester Mayor, Tony Lloyd, visited Google’s Digital Garage today to see first hand the work they are doing mentoring and training people in GM.  

Google’s Digital Garage based in Manchester Central Library until April 2016 is the first of its kind in the North West. Local businesses and individuals are invited to digital masterclasses and one-to-one mentoring sessions, delivered by digital experts. Sessions for teachers, students and charities are also being run.    

Speaking after his visit to the Digital Garage, Interim GM Mayor Tony Lloyd said: “In Greater Manchester we are committed to supporting businesses of all sizes and giving people the skills to get in to well-paid work. Google’s Digital Garage will help us to do exactly that and I hope that people right across GM take the opportunity to get a digital tune up from Google’s experts.

“Digital is a key part of what’s needed to create new jobs and grow an economy. In GM we understand that so it is not surprising that Google have chosen GM to host one of their first Digital Garages.”

Experts from the Garage have also visited universities and businesses across GM and taken the Garage on tour around Trafford. So far, the Digital Garage experts have trained around 700 people in GM. There are plans to also take the Garage on tour in other parts of GM, including at Rochdale’s Digital Festival on 27 February.  

The Digital Garage is the result of a partnership between Google, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester City Council, Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS and hosts Manchester Central Library.  

Businesses and individuals can sign up to Google Garage training and one-to-one mentoring. Free online training is also available. Individuals who complete the full learning course online will receive a certificate endorsed by Google and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Europe.