Digital skills and going online are increasingly important.
Many jobs and work tasks have a digital element, lots of training and learning is available online and our day to day lives require digital confidence - for example to keep in touch with friends and family, use government and other services, bank and shop online, search and apply for jobs, and find information and news.
The speed of technological development, including artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotics, has implications for the current and future workforce, and the skills they need, in the UK. And the digital sector itself is constantly growing.
In 2019, 7.5% of adults had never used the internet (Source: Office for National Statistics) missing out on the benefits of being online that many of us take for granted - connecting with people, shopping, managing services online and saving money, using online learning and finding information you need. The Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index 2020 estimates 16% (9 million people) are unable to use the internet or their devices without support.
Many others would like to improve their knowledge and confidence or make more of the internet and other digital opportunities, whether for work, career or personal reasons.
The common causes of digital exclusion are
Trade unions and their union learning representatives play a key role in:
Here are just a few ways to assess and improve your digital skills:
Your own trade union may offer courses too - contact your union learning rep or union to find out what's available.
Unionlearn has welcomed the government announcement of adult digital skills funding entitlement. This is a sign that digital skills joins maths and English skills in importance. The new publicly funded digital skills offer is due by 2020.
Trade union-led learning centres around the country, unions and unionlearn working in partnership with other organisations, deliver opportunities for people to develop and improve their digital skills. In 2014 unionlearn signed up to support the UK Digital Inclusion Charter, launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web and keeps promoting the value of digital skills both in people’s work and home lives.
Some other sources of learning and support on digital skills development are listed below:
The online platform The Skills Toolkit offers free digital and numeracy courses. These include Digital skills such as using social media and staying safe online to coding, programming or digital marketing.
Good Things Foundation is a social change charity, helping people to improve their lives through digital.
They run the Online Centres Network of 5,000 organisations around the UK that provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. Register to become a UK Online centre. Network members can access grants and resources.
The Foundation also delivers Get Online Week a campaign that has grown into a week-long, annual celebration, with thousands of events taking place each year in communities across the UK, giving everyone the chance to find the help they need to improve their digital skills.
FutureLearn's IT and computer science section has over 90 free courses to choose from, from beginner to advanced level.
FutureLearn offer courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world, accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop.
Digital Unite is one of the UK’s leading providers of digital skills learning. They provide a range of resources and services to support people on their digital journey, from the complete beginner to those helping others to get online.
For more information, email [email protected] or telephone 0800 228 9272
Among Age UK’s services they work to help people get the most out of the internet and increase digital inclusion. They have a technology and the internet section on their website with a glossary and guides to help people stay safe online and make the most of the internet.
Age UK computer training courses are also available, offering easy to follow courses, helping older people overcome barriers to getting online and enjoying what the internet can offer. More than 200,000 people in later life are helped each year resulting in a sense of increased independence and decreased social isolation and loneliness.
Get Safe Online is a public / private sector partnership supported by HM Government and leading organisations in banking, retail, internet security and other sectors. It’s a source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety – for both individuals and businesses. Visit their website for information on potential risks and ways to protect yourself. A huge range of topics are covered from fraud and online abuse to safe browsing for children and protecting against identity theft.
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