The 3 essential sessions you need to boost your digital skills

We all know that the world of digital and technology is something that is vast and ever-changing, but sometimes it can feel hard to keep up. 

If you feel like this, then you’re not alone. Recent studies have shown that as many as 20% of adults have limited or no digital skills, which can make it challenging to navigate life in a tech-savvy world. 

7-11 November is Lifelong Learning Week and we’re partnering with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, University of Leeds and Leeds City Council to host a series of free taster sessions for adults of all abilities.

So, whether you’re starting with the basics or want to try something new, here’s what we’re offering to help you develop your digital abilities.

Pack your CV with digital know-how

With as many as 82% of job roles now listing digital skills as a basic requirement, it’s never been more important to demonstrate an understanding of the equipment and software commonly used in workplace settings.

Being able to talk confidently about how these skills will be useful in the role you’re applying for will give you a competitive advantage over other candidates when you’re applying for jobs. 

The Learn about Digital Skills for Life and Work sessions will provide you with an introduction to what employers are looking for. The mini skills marketplace will allow you to chat to friendly advisors about the range of training options available to help you learn new skills.

If you’ve already mastered the basics, there are also  taster sessions where you can find out more about careers in the digital sector. 

With short courses such as Introduction to Digital Marketing and Cyber, you’ll get the opportunity to identify careers and skill sets needed for a future in these dynamic, specialist fields.

Don’t let your smartphone outsmart you!

We all know the excitement of getting a brand new phone, only to discover we don’t know exactly what to do with it.

Smartphones are convenient pieces of equipment, as they allow us to contact people and access the internet from just about anyway. However, they also have lots of features that can be tricky to get your head around. 

If you’re feeling left behind, then we recommend coming along to one of the So what about my smartphone? sessions.

These sessions are designed to introduce smartphone novices to the features, functions and uses of your smartphone. You’ll learn how to use your phone for everyday activities, such as applying for jobs, paying bills, and paying for a bus ticket. 

Once you’ve nailed down the basics, there are also further sessions available that teach you how to stay connected with your smartphone, such as What should I know about social media? and How to use emails effectively.

Try your hand at something new

Advancements in technology are being made every day and more and more aspects of the digital sector are emerging that you may not previously have heard of.

Whilst developments in sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity might seem daunting, gaining a basic understanding of some of these fields will help you to better understand the digital world around you and make it more accessible. 

Our Introduction to coding & programming sessions are designed to introduce learners to the principles of coding to introduce and progress you to intermediate coding applications.

Also on offer is the Discover extended reality and making coding fun split session, in which participants will have the opportunity to experience 3D Games using virtual reality hardware, and introduce you to the world of using programming to interface with hardware devices.

And if you’ve ever thought of yourself as the next big film maker, the ‘Create your own animated video’ session is where you can learn more about animation and digital storytelling.

The key thing to remember is that by reaching out of your comfort zone to try something new, you may discover a new passion or even a career path. So what are you waiting for?

We hope to see you there! 

All the sessions mentioned above are available to learners aged 19+ of all abilities, and are being held at various times and locations across Leeds and West Yorkshire. 

A full programme of the Lifelong Learning Week’s events and further information can be found here.