Su Green – CompTIA IT Fundamentals

Redundancy has provided Su Green with the catalyst to update her IT skills and improve her confidence through the online learning course, CompTIA IT Fundamentals. Having worked most recently as an office manager, Su, from Sutton Coldfield, is highly experienced in business administration and customer service. She has taught herself how to use productivity software such as Microsoft Office and wanted to find a course that would demonstrate to prospective employers that she was competent and capable.

Su said, “After losing my job, I was looking online to find a course that would help showcase my skills and give my CV a boost. Being self-taught, I didn’t have the qualifications in IT to demonstrate my knowledge and capabilities and the CompTIA IT Fundamentals course seemed an ideal solution. Because I live in the West Midlands Combined Authority postcode area, the course was free for me which was a bonus.

“It is a beginners’ course, so you don’t need any prior knowledge but my experience using technology at work gave me a really good starting point. For me, learning the correct terminology was the biggest benefit and I have really expanded on my knowledge. During lockdown, the course has been ideal because I have not needed to go into college. I studied for about an hour a day over around six weeks and my assessor regularly checked in with me by phone to see how I was getting on or I needed any help. The course is easy to follow with multiple choice answers and feedback available if you get something wrong at first. You can also practice taking the exam before you complete it, so you do feel very well-prepared.”

The course covers the basics of computing, systems, data and troubleshooting, applications, and software work, installing printers and other devices, and how establish a wireless network. It also covers how to use databases and the basics of reducing security risks.

Su Green

Su has now completed the course and is currently practicing before she takes her final exam. She is considering moving on the next level in her studies and is sure that the qualification she gains will help her in the search for a new job.

Find out more about how you can study the CompTIA IT Fundamentals course.

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A new academy offering free courses in digital skills has echoed the Department for Education’s call for millions of furloughed workers to take up online training. The Digital Skills Academy, from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, is helping to pave the way into careers in the burgeoning digital sector. It is also offering opportunities for everyone to improve their baseline digital skills during the coronavirus lockdown.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged people on furlough to take advantage of the many free courses available to boost their skills and build their confidence so that they are well-placed to succeed after the lockdown period. According to the government’s Skills Toolkit, the number of digital jobs grew almost three times as quickly as other jobs, and roles that require digital skills pay around one third more than others.

Matt Smith, Director of the Digital Skills Academy said, “The digital sector is booming, and we have seen over recent weeks how businesses that use technology creatively can succeed under even the most difficult circumstances. Remote working is only likely to grow now that it has been tried and tested during the coronavirus lockdown.

Never before has the importance of digital inclusion been more apparent or more urgent. The drive to get the remaining one fifth of the UK population who currently don’t use the internet to join the online community represents a significant challenge.

“There has never been a better time to focus on upskilling your technical capabilities and the Digital Skills Academy is here to help. Whether you are new to IT or inspired to join or progress in the sector, we can offer routes that will help you at home and in your career.

“The Digital Skills Academy was set up primarily to offer a pathway to ‘in demand’ digital jobs in software development so that businesses can access a pipeline of people with higher level skills and address gaps within their workforce. In addition, students can access opportunities to improve the types of digital skills on which every business increasingly relies.

“With our courses being offered free to people living in a West Midlands postcode area, there has never been a better time to get online and start learning.”

Courses, including CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) and apprenticeships at a range of levels will be available only online at first and later at the Academy’s base which is being set up the Coventry University Technology Park in the heart of the city’s technology zone, or on employers’ own premises if required.

The Digital Skills Academy will work in partnership with employers to make sure its training offer is highly relevant and that it is able to support them by providing skilled individuals to boost their workforce.

The new academy has been designed to provide high quality industry-relevant teaching on a flexible basis at a range of levels creating a clear technical education pathway that takes account of individuals’ starting points. Employers will be involved in the delivery of masterclasses as part of the academy offer and students will be able to access live job opportunities as they arise.

Digital skills

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A new Digital Skills Academy, set to be established in Coventry, has announced the appointment of a director to lead its offer to the digital sector. Matthew Smith, who formerly ran his own training business delivering database design, networking and cloud-based solutions, takes up his appointment with immediate effect.

Matt has more than 13 years’ experience within the further education sector and has worked at senior management level within several large college groups. He established his own business as a private training provider in 2007 and has since progressed to managing a range of provision from entry level studies right up to Level 7. He is passionate about innovation and enjoys developing new training programmes that make an impact on the lives of students and the success of employers.

On joining the Digital Skills Academy, Matt said, “I am delighted to be heading up this new specialist provision that is designed to put businesses in the best position to progress and grow within the digital sector. From my own experience, I know how much success depends on the talent within your team. People are the greatest asset of any tech company because it is their ability to apply the skills, harness the creativity and bring to life innovative ideas that underpins every amazing technological achievement.

“I am fully committed to working with the digital sector to ensure that the Digital Skills Academy provides them with access to the talent they need, and the flexibility to respond to changing priorities. One of my first jobs is to reach out to employers within the digital space because I want to make sure that our offer meets their complex needs. The Digital Skills Academy will be stronger as more businesses get involved and provide valuable input. I firmly believe our provision, and the sector as a whole, will be stronger if we work together.”

The Digital Skills Academy was set up following a successful bid led by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College to secure funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in response to growing momentum for the fast-paced digitisation of the UK.

The Academy offers students a pathway to ‘in demand’ digital jobs including software development so that businesses can access a pipeline of people with higher level skills and address gaps within their workforce. In addition, students will be able to access opportunities to improve the types of digital skills on which every business increasingly relies.

Courses and apprenticeships at a range of levels are available online and will also be offered at the Academy’s base which is being set up the Coventry University Technology Park in the heart of the city’s technology zone, or on employers’ own premises if required.

The West Midlands is a key national centre for the tech and digital sector with nearly 14,000 tech and digital businesses, five per cent of the national total and more than any other combined authority area in the country.

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “I am delighted to welcome Matt to this important post. As we have seen during the coronavirus lockdown period, businesses that can harness the power of technology are able to be much more agile and the same is true for individuals within their careers. Investment in digital skills is crucial to future-proof our region’s workforce and continue to help establish the West Midlands as the UK’s leading tech hub.

“The WMCA’s funding for the Digital Skills Academy is a huge step in making sure we are providing citizens with every opportunity to thrive in tech roles, and we look forward to seeing how it makes a real and positive difference to the people and businesses of the West Midlands.”

The Digital Skills Academy will work in partnership with employers to make sure its training offer is highly relevant and that it is able to support them by providing skilled individuals to boost their workforce. Employers will be involved in the delivery of masterclasses as part of the academy offer and students will be able to access live job opportunities as they arise.

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New Director appoointed

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