Mayor of Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester
Combined Authority (GMCA) have announced the city-region’s first
ever Digital Skills Day, set to take place on Friday 7 February.
Greater Manchester (GM) Digital Skills Day is being launched by
GMCA as part of a drive to get people of all ages excited about
digital skills and highlight opportunities to grow and showcase
their talents.
Organisations, schools, groups and residents across the
city-region are being encouraged to get involved.
Any individual, group, organisation or event can take part by
committing to hosting a digital activity on the day or tweeting
about their digital skills initiative. There’s no limit on the
skills you need or activities you can do, whether it be hosting a
hackathon, a lunch-and-learn talk about internet safety, or
teaching a family member how to use new apps or get on the
internet for the very first time.
To download the asset pack and for details and tips on how to get
involved, visit www.gmdigitalskills.com/gm-digital-skills-day/.
Ideas for how to be a part of GM Digital Skills Day include:
- Hold a digital skills hour in your school or workplace
- Run a lunchtime hackathon
- Host a workshop
- Organise a cybersecurity talk
- Run a coding club
- Teach someone how to access email
You can share your efforts on social media using
#GMDigitalSkillsDay and by tagging @greatermcr and @GMCADigital.
GM Digital Skills Day will follow the launch of the Greater
Manchester Digital Blueprint, which will set out the
city-region’s digital ambitions and showcase some of the
fantastic opportunities available to drive diverse tech talent
and leadership into the industry, as well as greater inclusion
and literacy in an evolving digital world.
Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “Here in
Greater Manchester, as always, we’re leading the way and Doing
Digital Differently. We are investing in building a digital
economy, attracting new businesses here, encouraging those we
have to grow, and at the same time we’re putting a lot of
investment into giving our people the digital skills that they’re
going to need so that anybody, from any background, any
community, can make their way in the digital economy.
“This special day will celebrate all things digital, and we want
to create a real buzz about digital skills right across our
city-region.”
Cllr Elise Wilson, GMCA Lead for the Digital portfolio,
said: “Greater Manchester has long been at the heart
of industrial innovation, and our vision is to become a
world-leader in developing and harnessing digital technologies
that benefit our people and places, delivering excellent public
services, and supporting our thriving digital and tech sectors.”
Cllr Sean Fielding, GMCA Lead for Work and Skills,
said: “Everyone can get involved in Digital Skills
Day, whether you’re an expert programmer teaching others to code
or just want to learn how to use a new app on your phone.
“Digital skills are so important for connecting people, accessing
services, and finding new solutions to everything from local
issues to major global challenges. We want people all across
Greater Manchester to feel confident in showcasing their digital
skills and gaining new ones.”
For more information, get in touch at GMCADigital@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or
visit www.gmdigitalskills.com/gm-digital-skills-day/.
