A new online learning platform for workplace skills will be launched by education secretary Gavin Williamson today.
The new platform, the Skills Toolkit, will give users access to free digital and numeracy courses to build skills and boost job prospects while in lockdown.
The courses – developed by the University of Leeds, the Institute of Coding and the Open University – will vary in levels, from everyday maths and tools for using email and social media more effectively at work to more advanced training.
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There will be a total of 13 courses available, including: "Create a professional online presence", "Presenting your work with impact" and "Learn to code for data analysis".
Mr Williamson said: “I know how difficult the recent months have been and the huge changes the coronavirus has brought on the daily lives of us all. The high-quality and free-to-access courses on offer on our new online learning platform, the Skills Toolkit, will help those whose jobs have been affected by the outbreak, and people looking to boost their skills while they are staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.
Boosting workplace skills amid the coronavirus crisis
“I want businesses to encourage their furloughed employees to use the Skills Toolkit to improve their knowledge, build their confidence and support their mental health so they have skills they need to succeed after the coronavirus outbreak.”
The Department for Education said the Skills Toolkit was the first step towards assisting with the longer-term recovery to boost employability across the country.
Digital secretary Oliver Dowden said: "The impact of Covid-19 has shown how important digital skills are – both for work and other aspects of our lives. Technology is going to play a hugely important role in our economic recovery and this new platform will help ensure everyone is able to improve their digital skills and take advantage of the opportunities ahead."
Courses available
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Title
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Provider (where the content is hosted)
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Description
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Learn My Way
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Good Things Foundation
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Resources to help you get started online. Find topics from getting to grips with your computer, tablet or mobile phone to how to use office programs like Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
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Make It Click
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Good Things Foundation
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Tools and resources to help you build skills for using social media, email or make working from home easier.
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Learn for Everyday Life
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Lloyds Bank
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Build your own course with a selection of lessons on a variety of digital skills from how to master video calling, dealing with online fraud to presenting yourself online.
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Everyday Maths
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Open University
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Refresh your maths skills to help with everyday life or get on in your job.
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Create a Professional Online Presence
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FutureLearn
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Explore how to present yourself professionally online. Find out more about different social media platforms and how the way that you conduct yourself online can impact on your professional reputation.
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Thriving in the Digital Workplace
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FutureLearn
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Boost your confidence and build the skills you need to use digital technology in the workplace.
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How to Create Great Online Content
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FutureLearn
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Find out about different types of online content and what makes them effective in different situations.
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Presenting Your Work with Impact
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FutureLearn
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Learn to create and present engaging content clearly and confidently in a range of situations.
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Digital Skills: Social Media (for business)
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FutureLearn
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A course for those wanting to use social media effectively to develop their entrepreneurial skills, to enter the workplace or to change career.
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Get Certified in the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
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Google Digital Garage
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This course covers topics like creating a website and getting it known, marketing your business locally and internationally and advertising using social media.
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Learn to Code for Data Analysis
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Open University
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Learn how to write your own computer programs, one line of code at a time.
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Programming Essentials in Python
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Cisco
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Learn how to code in Python: an object-oriented programming language used by small companies to tech giants.
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Introduction to Cyber Security: Stay Safe Online
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Open University
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Learn how to stay safe online at home and at work.
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