University launches free courses to help businesses fill digital skills-gap

• New courses will teach specialist skills which are highly sought-after by cross southern businesses
• Innovation South Virtual Campus (ISVC) project aims to transform access to work-focused training with Covid-safe online learning
• Initiative launched by a group of leading organisations in Enterprise M3 area

AN INITIATIVE to help southern employers fill the digital skills-gap in their businesses has been launched by the University of Chichester.

The Innovation South Virtual Campus (ISCV) project, which was created in collaboration with several leading regional partners, will provide a range of free online courses to teach skills which are either missing or are highly sought-after by firms. The initiative intends to transform access to work-focused training across the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership area.

Professor Dave Cooper, Head of the University of Chichester’s Business School, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for employees, whatever the size of their business, to raise the level of their business and digital skills at no cost.

“The University and its partners have developed a range of short online programmes in many areas highlighted as skills businesses need now. I would strongly encourage all employees to get involved and help their businesses become stronger and more competitive as we all emerge from the current Covid-19 crisis.”

The free courses, which are hosted online to ensure they are Covid-safe, cover key areas such as digital marketing, competitor analysis, and IT skills including software development and cyber security. They are provided at varying levels to suit each employee’s skill set and experience.

Among the partners involved in the scheme, other than the University of Chichester, are Sparsholt College in Hampshire and Basingstoke College of Technology. It also includes East Surrey College and Royal Holloway, University of London.

The free courses are all funded by the Enterprise M3 LEP and employers and employees can find out more at https://isl.skillset.co.uk.

For more about how the University of Chichester has helped southern England businesses by upskilling employees and developing skilled graduates go to www.chi.ac.uk/business.