Dumfries and Galloway College has announced the launch of a new range of digital skills courses, aimed at helping individuals and businesses in the region improve their digital literacy. The courses, which are brand new to the college, were developed in response to the digital skills needs of businesses as evidenced in the Digital Economy Business Survey (DEBS) of July 2021 and the Digital Economy Maturity Index.
According to data from the DEBS report for Dumfries and Galloway, 27% of respondents indicated that they needed to improve their basic digital technology skills, such as emails, internet navigation, Microsoft Office and Excel. Additionally, 8% of respondents stated that they needed to improve their cyber security skills.
In addition to the DEBS data, further research conducted by the college into the digital skills needs of businesses across the region has indicated that organizations require upskilling in the areas of data analysis and digital leadership and management.
The online short courses offered by the college include: Introduction to Data Analysis using Excel, Introduction to Power BI, Digital Leadership and Management, Introduction to Cyber Security, Basic Digital Technology Skills, Introduction to Microsoft Office, Introduction to Excel, Intermediate Excel and Advanced Excel. All courses will be instructor-led training sessions, involving group discussions and exercises, with the first course starting on February 15th.
Keira Lindsay, a trainee accountant at Shaw Plant SQ, Sanquhar, said: “These look like great courses, with excellent functional training that can be used in daily working life. “
College Principal Joanna Campbell said: “By offering these new courses, we hope to provide people with an opportunity to improve their digital skills, which are becoming increasingly essential in the workplace. Dumfries and Galloway College is delighted to play a pro-active role in helping students, employees – and also employers – gain more experience in current and future technology and this will ultimately benefit everyone.”
The college hopes to attract employees from private, public and third sector businesses as well as sole traders to book on to the digital courses.
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