Free digital skills programme to make Telford more tech-savvy
Telford & Wrekin residents of all ages are being encouraged to get online, and take part in a free scheme supported by the borough council that will equip them with digital skills.
The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award – known as iDEA – has enabled Telford digital learners to complete more than 7,000 digital badges since its launch in spring last year.
Similar to The Duke of Edinburgh Award, iDEA is based on challenges that lead to awards. iDEA rewards participants with digital badges for their work to learn new digital skills, by completing mini-modules on different topics, such as social media, cyber security, e-commerce, video editing and making websites.
Each badge is worth a number of points, which accumulate into iDEA Awards. There are two levels of iDEA Award available – bronze and silver – and people of all ages can work at their own pace to earn points and receive awards. The bronze award is targeted at beginner level and silver is intermediate level.
Advanced
The gold award, for advanced level learners is currently being developed and will be launched in due course.
Once they achieve the iDEA Bronze or silver award, people can claim their iDEA certificate which will be sent directly from Buckingham Palace. To take part in iDEA visit idea.org.uk
Create an account, then select ‘have a badge code’.
Enter DIGITELFORD50 and redeem – to get your first badge.
Felicity Mercer, assistant director for commercial services at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Having completed the iDEA Bronze Award myself, I can say that iDEA is a fun and flexible way for anyone who wants to learn new digital skills or get better at things online they already know a bit about. We’ve also encouraged all our employees at the council to get involved with iDEA.
“It’s a free qualification for people of all ages and on completion of a number of digital badges, people can gain a nationally recognised certificate to add to their CV and thus help with future job employment and career.
“We are really proud that since the launch of programme in spring last year, over 7,000 iDEA digital badges have been completed by people in Telford and Wrekin.
“IDEA bronze and silver awards are part of our Telford Online campaign, through which we aim to get more residents to access new technology and online services and to learn new digital skills that people increasingly need on the job market.”
For more information about the council’s Telford Online campaign, go to telford.gov.uk/telfordonline
