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TV’s gadget man backs Tees Valley business workshops

A new project to boost digital skills got off the ground thanks to TV gadget man Jason Bradbury and his hoverboard.

Channel 5’s Gadget Show presenter Jason attended two events in Middlesbrough and Darlington to help launch Get Your Head Into Digital – five weeks of free workshops to get local businesses to use digital tools to grow and operate more effectively.

The first of the workshops is taking place at Tuned In, Redcar, on Monday, March 2.

Get Your Head Into Digital is part of the Government’s national SME Digital Capability Programme.

The project has been organised by Teesside University and the Tees Valley Business Compass, with funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and part-funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

It’s being led by the experts at DigitalCity.

Social media expert, inventor and novelist Jason said the project is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, adding: “In today’s digital world companies get a huge benefit from having strong online presence and the know-how to use it to the best business advantage.

“Yet despite a wealth of digital talent and excellence in this region, more than 4,000 SMEs in the Tees Valley have no effective digital presence and low or basic online skills.

“As a result they are missing a big opportunity – and Get Your Head Into Digital’s free workshops aim to put that right.”

The free workshops are being held in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington.

Topics include: Introduction to Social Media, Going Further with Social Media, Getting Your Business Online, Being Found Online, Selling Your Products Online, Online Banking, Introducing Your Business to Gmail and Google Apps and Managing Your Business More Effectively Using Google Apps.

DigitalCity is leading the initiative, and Director Dr Michael Ryding said: “We’ve built up a well-deserved reputation in the Tees Valley for digital excellence in business.

“But we want to help everyone – from the sole traders to manufacturing and engineering companies - to recognise the potential of making the most of digital.

“Over the coming weeks Get Your Head Into Digital will be delivering free workshops and advice to people ranging from those who have absolutely no digital knowledge at all through to those who want to use their skills better.

“We’d encourage everyone to sign up for at least one workshop – they’re free, and they could make a huge difference to your business.”

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