The Smart Manufacturing Alliance and CityFibre launch new ‘Digital Badge’ scheme
The Smart Manufacturing Alliance and CityFibre have joined forces to launch a new scheme, delivered by Skillsladder, designed to help young people develop their digital skills.
The new scheme, which is fully funded, provides online training across a range of digital applications. On completion, individuals will be awarded a digital badge which recognises specific skills gained through the learning experience. The digital badge is a web-based, clickable icon, which will demonstrate the criteria for learning and evidence that the learner has met the criteria.
To date, five co-branded CityFibre and Smart Manufacturing Alliance (SMA) badges have been created: Excel beginner, intermediate, and advanced, Powerpoint and Cybersecurity. The first co-hort for Excel training is being delivered through February and March by Skills Ladder, a leading provider of IT training.
The initial rollout will target young people in the manufacturing sector, one of the biggest employers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Manufacturers face significant challenges to ensure their teams have the skills to digitise in the race to adopt new technologies like robotics and automation, which rely on digital skills to run efficiently. Open to anyone over the age of 16, individuals can book onto open courses, but employers with a co-hort of 8 employees can benefit from a date for training arranged directly with Skills Ladder
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Rebecca Stephens, CityFibre’s Regional Partnership Director said: “Peterborough and Cambridge are fast becoming beacons of digital transformation. With digital skills in such high demand, it is important that we are be able to support both individuals and organisations to upskill their employees, particularly young and emerging talent. Digital Badges provide a fast, effective and consistent approach to upskilling, which will provide huge benefits for both employees and employers.”
Bob Hart, Programme Director for the SMA said: “The manufacturing industry is increasingly reliant on digital skills to remain at the forefront of innovation, productivity, and profitability. The benefits of digital badges to both employers and employees are wide-reaching, and I look forward to working with organisations to create awareness and uptake up of this scheme’
Dan Heaford of Skillsladder said: “We are very experienced in the delivery of Digital Badges, and we are delighted to be working with CityFibre and the SMA to deliver this new programme to Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s young people. The first open programme for Excel training takes place on 21st February, but there are other dates available”.
Free places can be booked online here
