The Diploma in I.T. – ‘bringing learning to life…’ August 19, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, Education, GMDDA, Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring, Merseyside, Merseyside ICT, News, Technology, Training, e-Skills, schools.Tags: Diploma in I.T., I.T. Diploma, Liverpool Compact, Maria Hart
add a comment
A new, cutting edge qualification in I.T. has just been launched by the Government for 14-19 year olds that has maximum value as it has been designed specifically by employers, is linked to business needs and so equips students with the attributes businesses are looking for.
The Diploma in I.T. will be taught in some Liverpool schools from September 2008 and has been driven by Microsoft, BT, Vodafone and Toshiba.
It is being championed locally by the digital sector agency Merseyside ICT and local company Rapid Technologies.
What is it?
The Diploma is an industry & skills focussed qualification and an alternative to traditional qualifications such as GCSEs & A’ Levels. Students will ‘learn by doing’ in the I.T. sector, through employer input and in the classroom. They will also gain universal skills that all employers seek, such as how to think creatively, problem-solve, communicate, work independently and work as part of a team. Students will also have an excellent grasp of English & Maths while applying these subjects to real business scenarios.
How can you get involved?
Business support is crucial to give students business insight, skills and experience. You can help!
Be it by giving a Business Talk about your field of expertise in the I.T. world or the projects your company has worked on, giving students a real business problem to research, offering Work Experience or becoming a ‘buddy’ to an I.T. Teacher.
Even if you can only offer one activity once a year it will be appreciated!
How will you benefit?
You will be able to recruit well prepared, knowledgeable school leavers that can make an immediate, positive contribution at work, lessen the need for basic training and allow you to focus on specialist training.
Working with schools on projects is great staff development for your existing staff and they will find it very rewarding and enjoyable.
If you think you could work with a Liverpool School please call Maria Hart at Liverpool Compact Education/Business Partnership on 0151 728 9454
Further funding released for technology investment July 8, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, GMDDA, ICT Invest, Merseyside, News, Technology.Tags: John Blades
add a comment
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is offering help to small and medium sized businesses that are looking to invest in their ICT hardware and software.
The Chamber has been awarded £500,000 via the European Regional Development Fund, which can be allocated to companies across Merseyside.
John Blades, ICT Investment Fund Administrator, said: “We will award grants of between £10-50K which must be spent by 30 November 2008. The funding can be up to 40% of the total project cost and covers the costs of new technology investments. “
The funding is open to businesses in the Merseyside area, whether or not they are Chamber members.
If you would like more information about how the ICT Investment Fund can help your businesses please call John Blades at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on 0151 227 1234 or visit the ICT Investment Fund website at http://www.ict-invest.info/
[From: http://liverpoolchamber.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/new-funding-support-for-ict-investment/]
Don’t forget i-techpartner eServices Forum tomorrow! June 2, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Business, Entrepreneurship, European Commission, Events, International Trade, Internet, Knowledge Transfer, Liverpool, Merseyside, Merseyside ICT, News, North West England, Research, Social Networking, Technology, Technology Transfer, Web 2.0, i-techpartner.add a comment
The i-techpartner eServices Forum is taking place this week at the new Liverpool Convention Centre.
The event builds on the success of the 2007 i-techpartner Academy at Daresbury Innovation Centre where over 120 delegates attended, including researchers, small businesses, innovation experts and investors.
Focussing on the areas of web services, mobile applications, web 2.0, software as a service and more, the eServices Forum will be of interest to you if you are:
- an innovative ICT/digital small business looking to grow your business
- a researcher from a university or research institute looking to commercialise your research
- a venture fund or business angel looking for investment opportunities in eServices
- an expert in technology transfer, innovation or business growth
The event is being held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th June, more information on our previous story or on the i-techpartner website
GMDDA welcomes Government Strategy on Digital Inclusion May 2, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, DIEP, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Entrepreneurship, GMDDA, Local Authorities, Merseyside, News, Technology, UK Online Centres, e-Skills.Tags: Helen Milner, Paul Murphy MP, Prof Dennis Kehoe, David Parr
2 comments
A strategy to get the last third of unconnected UK citizens online is now being drawn up, according to Paul Murphy MP, Minister for Digital Inclusion, at yesterday’s National Digital Inclusion Conference, also attended by GMDDA. In his first speech since his appointment, he revealed the strategy could be in place by summer.
Some 17 million citizens in the UK did not have access to a computer, either at home or at work, he said, “Chances are these people come from an older or socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged group”.
The new cabinet committee set up by Mr Murphy met for the first time last week, “We came up with the following mission statement: To co-ordinate policies and a coherent strategy that all citizens, especially the disadvantaged, can benefit from new technologies,” he told the conference.
Delegates welcomed the appointment of the first cabinet minister to have responsibility for digital exclusion.
“The vision from government seems now to be bigger and bolder,” said Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online centres, community-based groups aimed at connecting the disconnected.
David Parr, Chair of the Greater Merseyside Digital Development Agency agreed, “This is a clear indication that the priorities of GMDDA, tackling digital exclusion in our communities, is also being addressed by central government.”
These views were echoed by Professor Dennis Kehoe, Director of the AIMES Centre at the University of Liverpool, “It is good to hear that Government is addressing digital inclusion at Cabinet-level, comments expressed today mirror exactly our objectives in the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme for Merseyside. There is a clear link between digital inclusion and economic prosperity”
GMDDA and AIMES are currently working with other partners, including local councils, to digitally enable over 5,000 residents, as well as encouraging enterprise development and other initiatives, such as homeshoring. Read more about the programme here: http://diep.aimes.net/
i-techpartner eServices Forum, 3rd-4th June 2008 March 27, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, Entrepreneurship, European Commission, Events, GMDDA, Merseyside, Merseyside ICT, News, North West England, Research, Social Networking, Technology, Technology Transfer, Web 2.0, i-techpartner.1 comment so far
Registration is now open for the i-techpartner eServices Forum which is taking place at the new Liverpool Convention Centre on 3rd & 4th June 2008.
This builds on the success of the 2007 i-techpartner Academy at Daresbury Innovation Centre where over 120 delegates attended, including researchers, small businesses, innovation experts and investers.
Focussing on the areas of web services, mobile applications, web 2.0, software as a service and more, the eServices Forum will be of interest to you if you are:
- an innovative ICT/digital small business looking to grow your business
- a researcher from a university or research institute looking to commercialise your research
- a venture fund or business angel looking for investment opportunities in eServices
- an expert in technology transfer, innovation or business growth
The event is a unique platform for eServices-focused high-growth companies, technology corporations, R&D organisations and international investors from across Europe to exchange knowledge and build effective business connections. (more…)
Subscribe to RSS Feed
