Chorley Council shortlisted for digital skills and inclusion award
An initiative, which has seen over a thousand Chorley residents get online and hundreds of local children develop digital skills, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in the seventh annual Digital Leaders 100 list.
Chorley Council has been nominated for a digital skills or inclusion initiative award for it’s Get Online campaign, which has seen 1139 Chorley residents attend sessions in the last 12 months.
Residents have received support to show them the benefits of being online and have learned and developed digital skills to support them in everyday life at home or at work. The aim is that everyone in the borough should be able to get online, do more online and benefit from being online.
Voting for the awards, which highlights the latest champions of digital transformation across the UK, is now open online at digileaders100.com and local people are encouraged to vote.
Rebecca Huddleston, Chorley Council’s Director of Policy and Governance, said: “Together with partners and local businesses, we are doing a lot of work to improve digital access, skills and training for Chorley residents, so it is fantastic that this work has been recognised.
“Our Get Online initiative has already produced many success stories with unemployed residents getting into work after completing digital inclusion courses that have allowed them to add skills to their CV.
“Elderly and vulnerable resident’s health and wellbeing has improved as they have developed new skills to be able to access health services and public services online. Work with partners AgeUK has been very successful and has seen a click and chat group set up where residents meet regular to discuss all things digital and share tips about being online.
“Furthermore, our recent Chorley Hack event saw hundreds of young people developing digital skills that will help them in the future and encouraged them to work with local digital businesses.
“Digital is fundamental to the future and Chorley Council is committed to improving the local digital infrastructure and transforming local services.”
Free training courses take place every month across the Chorley borough, covering everything from getting started with your tablet, save money online as well as courses to receive qualifications for residents looking to add new skills to their CV.
The popular Code Club sessions for young people also take place at community centres, schools and Inspire Chorley Youth Zone.
Chorley Council is working with a number of partners to get more residents online and deliver digital courses, including: Lancashire Adult Learning, Preston College, Jobskilla, Lancashire Police, AgeUK, Lancashire Libraries, DXC Technology, ROQ, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership and Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub.
To find out more about getting online in Chorley, visit chorley.gov.uk/digitalaccess