Digital skills support

Leicestershire County Council wants to make sure that everyone is able to use the internet and get the most out of going online. This page will signpost you to resources to boost your digital skills whether you are a complete beginner or you are looking for advanced qualifications.

Digital skills courses for individuals

GoLearn!

GoLearn! offers formal and informal learning programmes for all adults across Leicestershire. The service is provided by the Leicestershire Adult Learning Service (LALS) in Leicestershire County Council’s Adults and Communities department, and is funded by the Education and Funding Agency.

This service offers access to digital skills courses for a range of levels to give you recognised qualifications and useful skills for everyday life.

Find out what courses are available near you at www.golearnleicestershire.ac.uk/courses/digital-skills

Learn My Way by The Good Things Foundation

Learn My Way is a website of free online learning for beginners, helping you develop digital skills to make the most of the online world.

Find out what subjects are available at www.learnmyway.com

VASL Community Champions (Harborough District only)

VASL’s trained volunteers deliver monthly digital skills and support sessions at Market Harborough and Lutterworth libraries for older, isolated people.

The volunteers support people to use smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and laptops and PCs.

There is no charge for the service as the project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Appointments can be made at other times, and volunteers are also able to make home visits particularly if you are using a computer or it is difficult for you to get to the library.

To make an appointment to see a volunteer please call 01858 439262 or email champions@vasl.org.uk.

Learn for Life by Lloyds Bank

Over 30 free Online Essentials resources to get started, how to communicate and how to stay safe and secure online.

Find out what courses are available at www.lloydsbankacademy.co.uk/learn-for-life.html

Digital Skills for Work and Life by Accenture and FutureLearn

Find out how digital is changing our personal and professional lives, develop the skills to succeed in a digital world, through this free course.

You will learn:

the meaning of ‘digital’
how digital is changing the ways we work and live
its impact on jobs and industries
the opportunities and challenges of digital
how to adopt a ‘growth mindset’

Find out more at www.futurelearn.com/courses/digital-skills-for-work-and-life

Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world by The Open University

This free course will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life.

It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital well-being, staying safe and legal, finding and using information and online tools, and dealing with information overload.

You can find more information at www.open.edu/openlearn/openlearn/digital-computing/digital-skills-succeeding-digital-world

Digital skills courses for businesses

Digital Boost

Free mentoring and support for all small businesses.

Digital Boost will connect you with volunteer experts in different areas including digital, for unlimited 1:1 or small-group businesses mentoring.

Find out how your business can be supported at www.digitalboost.org.uk

Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to train in a new industry or progress in your current career.

The training is funded through the Department of Education’s National Skills Fund and forms part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain Skills for Life.

If you are an employer or skills provider, below are the digital skills training opportunities currently being offered.

Anicca Digital Ltd

Anicca Digital has always offered practical training courses, but are now an accredited training provider of the Digital Marketing Institute and we can offer a range of Skills Bootcamps in digital marketing and qualifications designed to empower you with knowledge and the skill set required to take you or your business to the next level.

Skills Bootcamps in Digital Marketing with Level 5 DMI qualifications – 12 days over 3 months, or fast-track option over 3 weeks (one held each quarter). These are offered on a regional basis and generally run every few months.

Course: Digital Marketing Skills (level 5 DMI)

Find out more at www.anicca.co.uk/training-qualifications

Tech Educators

Our software development coding bootcamp isn’t just about teaching you the skills you need to start a career in tech. We do that, of course, but we do so much more too. By joining a Tech Educators coding bootcamp you join a community of software developers, digital marketeers, user experience designers, technical salespeople, and all in between.

Taking the first steps into a new career that requires software development skills isn’t easy, but helping people just like you is our super power. If you are committed to this as your journey, we are committed to supporting you in learning the skills you need for a career in tech.

Course: Software Development

Find out more at www.techeducators.co.uk/course/software-development-bootcamp

Twin Training

If you are 19 or older, live in Leicester or the Leicestershire area and are interested in a career in cybersecurity, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Our Cybersecurity bootcamp offers young people with no education background in computing a fast track to employment in this exciting new sector with a CompTIA security+ qualification. Whether you are unemployed and not sure what path to take or employed but unhappy with your current career trajectory, this course offers the chance for a change.

Course: Cyber Security

Find out more at www.twinemployment.com/uk/our-programmes/skills-bootcamp