Local freelance opportunities set to enhance digital skills of young people and boost SMEs' online presence

Next Monday (September 10), Nominet, a profit-with-a-purpose company known for running the UK’s internet infrastructure, is launching the third phase of its digital skills training programme, Nominet Digital Neighbourhood.

The initiative provides digital skills training with a difference, offering training and paid work experience to young people aged 18-24 with digital skills but limited professional networks and opportunities, and connects them with local SMEs, to help them both prosper online.

To date, Nominet Digital Neighbourhood has trained over 100 young people and matched them with SMEs. Nominet’s aim is to double these numbers for the programme in 2018.

Nominet Digital Neighbourhood will take place at The Century Club, 61-63 Shaftesbury Avenue from w/c September 10, with the course facilitated by Nominet’s project partner Livity, the youth-led creative network.

Russell Haworth, CEO of Nominet, said: “We have a long history of supporting initiatives that contribute to a vibrant digital future that is connected, inclusive and secure for all.

“A focus for us is helping young people improve their digital skills to increase their life chances. While Nominet Digital Neighbourhood may seem a small project compared to others, it is a pioneering approach to meet the demands of digital transformation and help address the digital skills gap in the UK.

“If not, we face playing a dangerous game of catch-up which could be disastrous not only for individuals and SMEs, but the UK digital economy.”

Research conducted by Nominet found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of 18-24 year olds in London find it very difficult to find work experience, and that almost half (48 per cent) would be forced to rely on personal savings to fund their time if they were to gain a two-week work experience placement.

The Nominet Digital Neighbourhood scheme aims to help local young people address these issues, upskill in key areas for free and get on the career ladder.

Each young person will embark on a two-day training course with a qualified expert covering social media skills, Google AdWords and SEO, and will also be advised on the importance of creating online profiles to promote their services, like LinkedIn.

At the end of the second day of training, students will meet and be matched with a suitable local SME that requires their skills for a paid work experience placement.

Lilli Reuel, student and Nominet Digital Neighbourhood ambassador for 2018, commented: “As someone who is on a sandwich course from university, this is such a unique opportunity for me to get paid work experience, while acquiring freelance skills at the same time.

“It helps me to value my skills, build confidence and make valuable business contacts. There are so many ways in which young people such as myself can help local businesses in my area, more schemes like this need to happen.”

A profit-with-a-purpose company, Nominet has supported hundreds of tech-for-good projects, donating £45m to positively impact over 10m people since 2008.

Other initiatives focused on helping advance digital skills among young people include Nominet being a founding patron of the Prince’s Trust Online portal, helping it to marry its traditional face-to-face approach with digital products and services, for young adults.

Another is its work with the Micro:bit Foundation as founding partner, which is helping to promote STEM and develop digital skills in schools.