Digital Skills
Belfast Digital Skills & Employability Programme
The Belfast Digital Skills & Employability Programme is an inclusive new initiative designed to help develop digital skills and boost employment potential. Funded by the Bank of America, this programme aims to increase participation of under-represented individuals in gaining industry relevant skills and access to education and employment opportunities.
Throughout this 3-year programme, Belfast Met will deliver 30 Digital Skills Academies to 600 participants. Working with local employers and organisations, each Digital Skills Academy has been developed to include a mix of digital and employability skills training with industry recognised qualifications, as well as practical work experience and project-based learning, guest speakers and insights from employers and industry leaders.
Digital Skills
Digital Skills provide the ability to communicate, collaborate and share content using devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. Building your knowledge and capability to use digital devices will improve your confidence in both the workplace and in your daily life.
Through this programme, we will support you to build a foundational knowledge of using digital devices, with a focus on those most used in a work setting, for example, how to write and format a document such as a report or how to use a spreadsheet to manage a budget.
Why join a Digital Skills Academy?
Digital Skills Academies are an accessible pathway to employment or training for those with little or no digital skills. The academies focus on a breadth of interesting topics and provide wrap around support to ensure that you feel welcome and have the assistance you need to take your first steps into the digital world.
Through a Digital Skills Academy, you will learn new skills and meet new people, building friendships, confidence, and opportunities for yourself. Belfast Met work with expert delivery partners to provide tailored support, deliver industry relevant training and develop progression pathways. The Digital Skills Academies are the perfect place to challenge yourself in a safe and supported learning environment.
In addition, Digital Skills Academies may provide financial support towards training, travel, and childcare. If you are in receipt of universal credit or benefits, it is your responsibility to speak directly to your support officer to discuss any potential impacts that this financial support may have.
How to Apply?
Digital Skills Academies will be running throughout the year. Courses open for application will be listed here.
We have new Digital Skills Academies opening regularly, if you are interested in joining a future Digital Skills Academy register here and we will email you when a new Digital Skills Academy opens for application.
Please note, places are limited and offered based on order of application.
Eligibility criteria for each Digital Skills Academy can be found on the course application page. You will need to submit evidence confirming you meet the eligibility criteria prior to securing your place on the academy.
Digital Skills Academy will focus on building digital skillsets including:
Cyber Security
Understand how you can identify online security threats and techniques you can put in place to protect your information.
Data Analytics
Gain the skills to collate and manage data sets and put in place systems that will allow you to identify trends and solve problems.
Cloud Computing
Learn how to access and run different IT programmes and services using the internet.
Creative Technology
Get experience using technologies that support developing and editing video content that can be used in marketing campaigns or film and tv production.
Employers
As an employer, you can help support participants to break down the barriers they face by engaging with Belfast Met on the Digital Skills Academies. There are many ways you can become involved, for example:
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- Hosting work experience placements.
- Providing an employer led project.
- Delivering industry masterclasses.
- Providing career guidance.
- Aligning pathways to employment for participants.
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To enhance your reputation as a socially responsible and inclusive employer and support the next generation of talent, join the Belfast Digital Skills & Employability Programme as an employer via the form below:
Courses Open
Apply Now
Apply for one of our upcoming Digital Skills Academies:
