Birmingham City Council Champions Digital Inclusion

Running from 20th to 26th October, Get Online Week is a nationwide campaign to promote digital inclusion and reduce the digital skill gap.

Research into the digital skill gap shows that 7.5 million of UK adults currently lack essential digital skills for the workplace, including tasks such as using email, navigating websites, and managing digital documents.

 Digital skills are essential, and a lack of knowledge can limit citizen’s access to vital services including finances and online contact with family and friends

In an increasingly digital society, Birmingham City Council are committed to help addressing digital inclusion and are proud to be working with our city partners to create opportunities for citizens and communities to increase access and improve residents’ digital skills.

In Birmingham, the week will be marked by a programme of events and workshops designed to empower residents with the skills and support they need to thrive online, with sessions including training and support with money management, digital upskilling and digital device management.

This year’s showcase is the positive result of collaboration across from the public and private sector alongside charity, voluntary and community organisations, working to support citizens and communities to access and enhance their digital skills.

Throughout the week, we are working with a multitude of stakeholders ranging from Millennium Point, Birmingham Metropolitan College, Birmingham City University,  DWP,  the Sir Rigby Foundation, Openreach, VodafoneThree, Barclays Bank, Virgin Money, Amazon, and CISCO who have stepped in to provide support, resource and  training to citizens on topics including digital money management, digital upskilling and digital device management.

There are also events being delivered by the voluntary, communities and charities sector, such as the Pioneer Group, Bournville Village Trust, Smartlyte, ForwardCarers, Castle Vale Community Trust, the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre. 

This showcase builds on the digital inclusion work that Birmingham City Council currently delivers directly through our Birmingham Adult Education Services and provision in the Library of Birmingham and the Digital Neighbourhood Network Schemes.

Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, said: “Digital inclusion is about ensuring that everyone can participate fully in today’s digital society. I am very proud of all the organisations that have stepped up to work with Birmingham City Council addressing digital inclusion. I would also like to thank the organisations across our city working with residents and communities and the support they are delivering to make Birmingham a place where digital works for everyone.

I am proud that we are supporting this vital initiative with events across Birmingham during national Get Online Week. This week is about helping to close the digital skill gap, we are committed to enabling more residents to be confident, connected and making the most of the digital world.

I am looking forward to hearing the wonderful stories from our citizens on how our collective activities are improving their digital skills.”