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11 Courses in Coventry

Photography Courses for Business

By Paul Chapman

Our business photography courses are created to help individuals learn how to take professional-quality photographs for use in a business setting. By taking these courses, individuals and businesses can gain the skills and knowledge they need to create visually appealing content that can help their business stand out in a crowded marketplace. About the course Courses are focussed on the client’s requirements and are bespoke to their needs. We cater from one-to-one courses for small businesses to whole marketing departments for multinationals. So whether you’re a dog walker who wants more views or a design company that needs more collateral, we can help improve your stock imagery. These classes cover a range of topics, including learning your camera settings, lighting, composition, and editing techniques. Clients will learn how to use their cameras to capture high-quality images that can be used for marketing materials, social media posts and other promotional materials. They will also learn how to edit their photos using professional software packages like Adobe Lightroom and Apple Photos to give their images that extra pop. The important stuff These courses are all bespoke in nature so pricing will vary but we start at £350 for a three-hour course. We will discuss your specific needs before the course and make sure we cover them during the course. We will travel to your place of work so you get the relevant experience in the right environment.

Photography Courses for Business
Delivered In-PersonFlexible Dates
£350

Online Options

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Achieving Email Excellence Strategies for Successful Email Marketing

5.0(1)

By Let’s Do Business Group

Email Marketing remains a cornerstone of digital communication, which when used effectively can elevate your brand, foster customer loyalty, and drive remarkable results.

Achieving Email Excellence Strategies for Successful Email Marketing
Delivered Online + more
£30

Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma

4.5(3)

By Studyhub UK

24 Hour Flash Deal **25-in-1 Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Mega Bundle** Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Enrolment Gifts **FREE PDF Certificate**FREE PDF Transcript ** FREE Exam** FREE Student ID ** Lifetime Access **FREE Enrolment Letter ** Take the initial steps toward a successful long-term career by studying the Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma package online with Studyhub through our online learning platform. The Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma bundle can help you improve your CV, wow potential employers, and differentiate yourself from the mass. This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma course provides complete 360-degree training on Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma. You'll get not one, not two, not three, but twenty-five Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma courses included in this course. Plus Studyhub's signature Forever Access is given as always, meaning these Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma courses are yours for as long as you want them once you enrol in this course This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Bundle consists the following career oriented courses: Course 01: Accounting Fundamentals Diploma Course 02: Quickbooks Online Course 03: Bookkeeping Systems Diploma Course 04: Microsoft Excel & Accounting Training Course 05: Cash Flow Management in Small Businesses: Key Considerations Course 06: Advanced Tax Accounting Course 07: Make Business Plans: Forecasting and Budgeting Course 08: Business Finance Course 09: Payroll Manager and HR Management Course 10: Mastering Accountancy and Xero Course 11: Understanding Financial Statements and Analysis Course 12: Credit Analyst Course 13: Credit Control and Compliance Training Course 14: Debt Management, Assessment, Financing & Counselling Course 15: Cost Control Process and Management Course 16: Data Documentation and Record Keeping Best Practices Course 17: Inventory Management Course 18: Financial Analysis Methods Course 19: Managing Fraud: Strategies for Detection and Prevention Course Course 20: Demystifying Depreciation Accounting: Financial Insights Course 21: Financial Planning Course 22: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Course 23: Financial Management Professional Training Certification Course 24: Business Accounting Training Course 25: Marginal Costing in Economics: Financial Decision-Making The Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma course has been prepared by focusing largely on Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma career readiness. It has been designed by our Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma specialists in a manner that you will be likely to find yourself head and shoulders above the others. For better learning, one to one assistance will also be provided if it's required by any learners. The Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Bundle is one of the most prestigious training offered at StudyHub and is highly valued by employers for good reason. This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma bundle course has been created with twenty-five premium courses to provide our learners with the best learning experience possible to increase their understanding of their chosen field. This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Course, like every one of Study Hub's courses, is meticulously developed and well researched. Every one of the topics is divided into Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Elementary modules, allowing our students to grasp each lesson quickly. The Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma course is self-paced and can be taken from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go! With our Student ID card you will get discounts on things like music, food, travel and clothes etc. In this exclusive Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma bundle, you really hit the jackpot. Here's what you get: Step by step Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma lessons One to one assistance from Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diplomaprofessionals if you need it Innovative exams to test your knowledge after the Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diplomacourse 24/7 customer support should you encounter any hiccups Top-class learning portal Unlimited lifetime access to all twenty-five Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma courses Digital Certificate, Transcript and student ID are all included in the price PDF certificate immediately after passing Original copies of your Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma certificate and transcript on the next working day Easily learn the Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma skills and knowledge you want from the comfort of your home CPD 250 CPD hours / points Accredited by CPD Quality Standards Who is this course for? This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma training is suitable for - Students Recent graduates Job Seekers Individuals who are already employed in the relevant sectors and wish to enhance their knowledge and expertise in Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Requirements To participate in this Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma course, all you need is - A smart device A secure internet connection And a keen interest in Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma Career path You will be able to kickstart your Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma career because this course includes various courses as a bonus. This Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma is an excellent opportunity for you to learn multiple skills from the convenience of your own home and explore Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma career opportunities. Certificates CPD Accredited Certificate Digital certificate - Included CPD Accredited e-Certificate - Free CPD Accredited Hardcopy Certificate - Free Enrolment Letter - Free Student ID Card - Free

Innovative Small Business Accounting Advanced Diploma
Delivered Online On Demand6 days
£279

Small Business Planning & Organising

By Course Cloud

Step into the world of small business success with our captivating online course, tailored for the dreamers and doers of today's entrepreneurial landscape.

Small Business Planning & Organising
Delivered Online On Demand1 hour 30 minutes
£5.99

Local SEO for Small Business

By Course Cloud

The innovative Local SEO for Small Business has been compiled with the assistance and expertise of industry professionals. It has been carefully crafted to meet the business requirements needed for an outstanding contribution to this role and the career path beyond it. By enrolling in this tutorial, a significant advantage can be gained by the student for securing their dream job and building an excellent reputation in this sector. This popular Local SEO for Small Business has been designed to help dedicated individuals train to become the absolute best in this business field. Many other entrepreneurs and talented students have already completed this course, and others like it, empowering them to move onto satisfying and rewarding careers. This unique Local SEO for Small Business course is perfectly suited for those dedicated and ambitious individuals who are committed to genuinely becoming the best in the business.  The Local SEO for Small Business is recognised and accredited by CPD standards, so all contents are guaranteed to be accurate and reputable, adding valuable competencies and qualifications to a CV, making anyone stand out from other potential candidates or business rivals. For added convenience, the Local SEO for Small Business consists of a range of educational modules that allow study sessions to be organised at any time and any place When the final assessment of the Local SEO for Small Business has been completed, a certificate of completion is supplied to evidence newly acquired skills and knowledge. This will provide a significant boost for job-seeking or entry into a new and exciting career path. The valuable qualification from the Local SEO for Small Business course can help to make all the difference in a dynamic employment sector and can also be validated on our website. We are aware that a student's lifestyles and work ethics may not allow much time for a dedicated study session, so the Local SEO for Small Business has been specifically designed to be taken at a personally selected pace, and the hours that are suited to each individual. Full access is immediately available after registration, and this can be achieved via any online device, and at any global location you are sighted at. Our fully-trained tutors are committed to helping you throughout the course, and will instantly respond to any queries that are sent to them via email.

Local SEO for Small Business
Delivered Online On Demand
£319

Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs

By Course Cloud

The innovative Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs has been compiled with the assistance and expertise of industry professionals. It has been carefully crafted to meet the business requirements needed for an outstanding contribution to this role and the career path beyond it. By enrolling in this tutorial, a significant advantage can be gained by the student for securing their dream job and building an excellent reputation in this sector. This popular Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs has been designed to help dedicated individuals train to become the absolute best in this business field. Many other entrepreneurs and talented students have already completed this course, and others like it, empowering them to move onto satisfying and rewarding careers. This unique Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs course is perfectly suited for those dedicated and ambitious individuals who are committed to genuinely becoming the best in the business.  The Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs is recognised and accredited by CPD standards, so all contents are guaranteed to be accurate and reputable, adding valuable competencies and qualifications to a CV, making anyone stand out from other potential candidates or business rivals. For added convenience, the Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs consists of a range of educational modules that allow study sessions to be organised at any time and any place. When the final assessment of the Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurshas been completed, a certificate of completion is supplied to evidence newly acquired skills and knowledge. This will provide a significant boost for job-seeking or entry into a new and exciting career path. The valuable qualification from the Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs course can help to make all the difference in a dynamic employment sector and can also be validated on our website. We are aware that a student's lifestyles and work ethics may not allow much time for a dedicated study session, so the Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs has been specifically designed to be taken at a personally selected pace, and the hours that are suited to each individual. Full access is immediately available after registration, and this can be achieved via any online device, and at any global location you are sighted at. Our fully-trained tutors are committed to helping you throughout the course, and will instantly respond to any queries that are sent to them via email.

Business Skills for Small Business Entrepreneurs
Delivered Online On Demand
£25

Small Business Branding Crash Course

By Study Plex

Highlights of the Course Course Type: Online Learning Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes Tutor Support: Tutor support is included Customer Support: 24/7 customer support is available Quality Training: The course is designed by an industry expert Recognised Credential: Recognised and Valuable Certification Completion Certificate: Free Course Completion Certificate Included Instalment: 3 Installment Plan on checkout What you will learn from this course? Gain comprehensive knowledge about business branding Understand the core competencies and principles of business branding Explore the various areas of business branding Know how to apply the skills you acquired from this course in a real-life context Become a confident and expert business manager or entrepreneur Small Business Branding Crash Course Master the skills you need to propel your career forward in business branding. This course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skillset that will make you a confident business manager or entrepreneur and take your career to the next level. This comprehensive small business branding crash course is designed to help you surpass your professional goals. The skills and knowledge that you will gain through studying this small business branding crash course will help you get one step closer to your professional aspirations and develop your skills for a rewarding career. This comprehensive course will teach you the theory of effective business branding practice and equip you with the essential skills, confidence and competence to assist you in the business branding industry. You'll gain a solid understanding of the core competencies required to drive a successful career in business branding. This course is designed by industry experts, so you'll gain knowledge and skills based on the latest expertise and best practices. This extensive course is designed for business manager or entrepreneur or for people who are aspiring to specialise in business branding. Enrol in this small business branding crash course today and take the next step towards your personal and professional goals. Earn industry-recognised credentials to demonstrate your new skills and add extra value to your CV that will help you outshine other candidates. Who is this Course for? This comprehensive small business branding crash course is ideal for anyone wishing to boost their career profile or advance their career in this field by gaining a thorough understanding of the subject. Anyone willing to gain extensive knowledge on this business branding can also take this course. Whether you are a complete beginner or an aspiring professional, this course will provide you with the necessary skills and professional competence, and open your doors to a wide number of professions within your chosen sector. Entry Requirements This small business branding crash course has no academic prerequisites and is open to students from all academic disciplines. You will, however, need a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone, as well as a reliable internet connection. Assessment This small business branding crash course assesses learners through multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Upon successful completion of the modules, learners must answer MCQs to complete the assessment procedure. Through the MCQs, it is measured how much a learner could grasp from each section. In the assessment pass mark is 60%. Advance Your Career This small business branding crash course will provide you with a fresh opportunity to enter the relevant job market and choose your desired career path. Additionally, you will be able to advance your career, increase your level of competition in your chosen field, and highlight these skills on your resume. Recognised Accreditation This course is accredited by continuing professional development (CPD). CPD UK is globally recognised by employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions, thus a certificate from CPD Certification Service creates value towards your professional goal and achievement. Course Curriculum Introduction Course Introduction 00:03:00 7 Goals And 5 Steps To Building Your Successful Brand 00:05:00 What Is Branding 00:03:00 Brand Experience Process 00:05:00 Price Competition Vs Branding Strategy 00:07:00 Brand Strategy Deciding Your Brand Type 00:03:00 Designing Your Brand Strategy 00:06:00 Creating A Strong USP For A Specific Audience 00:10:00 Define Your Brand Vision And Mission 00:04:00 Communicate Through A Meaningful Story 00:05:00 Brand Personality Understanding Consumers' Desires And Needs 00:03:00 Creating A Strong Brand Personality 00:02:00 Brands Archetypes : 1.Innocent - 2.Explorer - 3.Sage 00:04:00 Brands Archetypes : 4.Hero - 5.Outlaw - 6.Caregiver 00:04:00 Brands Archetypes : 7.Magician - 8.Ruler - 9.Regular Brand 00:04:00 Brands Archetypes : 10. Creator - 11.Lover - 12.Jester 00:04:00 Visuals & Design The Art Of Logo Design And Colors 00:07:00 The Art Of Brands Photography 00:03:00 Putting It All Together : Case Study - Honest Tea 00:03:00 The End Bonus : 11 Core Principles For Creating Successful Brands 00:07:00 Congrats, You Made It To The End 00:01:00 Supplementary Resources Supplementary Resources - Small Business Branding Crash Course 00:00:00 Certificate of Achievement Certificate of Achievement 00:00:00 Get Your Insurance Now Get Your Insurance Now 00:00:00 Feedback Feedback 00:00:00

Small Business Branding Crash Course
Delivered Online On Demand
£19

Surviving Small Business in Pandemic & Recession

4.8(9)

By Skill Up

Gain the skills and credentials to kickstart a successful career in the technology industry and learn from the

Surviving Small Business in Pandemic & Recession
Delivered Online On Demand4 hours 32 minutes
£25

IT for Small Business Diploma

4.3(43)

By John Academy

Description: So what is information management technology? These are computer systems that provide information many organizations require to manage their business efficiently and effectively. In this course, you will learn how to merge information technology and business together in order to obtain the best performance for your future job or your own business. You will also be introduced to the tools that help you set up your business the right way. So if you are into the business field, we strongly recommend that you need to take this course to improve your IT skills for the development of your business. Who is the course for? Individuals who want to start-up small business Entry Requirement: This course is available to all learners, of all academic backgrounds. Learners should be aged 16 or over to undertake the qualification. Good understanding of English language, numeracy and ICT are required to attend this course. Assessment:  At the end of the course, you will be required to sit an online multiple-choice test. Your test will be assessed automatically and immediately so that you will instantly know whether you have been successful. Before sitting for your final exam you will have the opportunity to test your proficiency with a mock exam. Certification: After you have successfully passed the test, you will be able to obtain an Accredited Certificate of Achievement. You can however also obtain a Course Completion Certificate following the course completion without sitting for the test. Certificates can be obtained either in hard copy at a cost of £39 or in PDF format at a cost of £24. PDF certificate's turnaround time is 24 hours and for the hardcopy certificate, it is 3-9 working days. Why choose us? Affordable, engaging & high-quality e-learning study materials; Tutorial videos/materials from the industry leading experts; Study in a user-friendly, advanced online learning platform; Efficient exam systems for the assessment and instant result; The UK & internationally recognized accredited qualification; Access to course content on mobile, tablet or desktop from anywhere anytime; The benefit of career advancement opportunities; 24/7 student support via email. Career Path: With this diploma qualification, individuals can enroll in a business and management degree or with skills at this level they could move into middle-level management or really ramp up the management of their own business. IT for Small Business Diploma Basics of the Information Technology 01:00:00 Introduction: Why I.T.? 01:00:00 I.T. - A Primer 01:00:00 Getting Started 01:00:00 Getting Set Up 01:00:00 Taking It On The Road 01:00:00 An Short I.T. Glossary 01:00:00 Mock Exam Mock Exam-IT for Small Business Diploma 00:20:00 Final Exam Final Exam-IT for Small Business Diploma 00:20:00 Certificate and Transcript Order Your Certificates and Transcripts 00:00:00

IT for Small Business Diploma
Delivered Online On Demand7 hours 40 minutes
£25

Communications for Small Business Owners

4.8(9)

By Skill Up

Gain the skills and credentials to kickstart a successful career and learn from the experts with this step-by-step

Communications for Small Business Owners
Delivered Online On Demand2 hours 44 minutes
£25

Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business

By iStudy UK

All living things require information to survive. They use these information to gather resources and as such the concept may be applied to business as well. If you are running a small business, then there is a need for IT setups around that business, so that your product information can be sent over to the consumers. Keeping all that in mind, this Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business course is perfect for small businesses wanting to understand IT. This diploma level course initially makes you jump timelines as you observe both the history and the current world of IT. Following this you will get started by assessing what you need in order to set up the IT aspects of your business. You will also learn and understand jargons like dial-up, DSL, intranet and so much more. Overall this course is designed to help boost your business management and increase your profits. It will also help you get digitized and promote your products to a greater customer base. All you have to do now is get this course. Course Highlights Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business is an award winning and the best selling course that has been given the CPD Certification & IAO accreditation. It is the most suitable course anyone looking to work in this or relevant sector. It is considered one of the perfect courses in the UK that can help students/learners to get familiar with the topic and gain necessary skills to perform well in this field. We have packed Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business into several modules for teaching you everything you need to become successful in this profession. To provide you ease of access, this course is designed for both part-time and full-time students. You can become accredited in just 20/30 hours and it is also possible to study at your own pace. We have experienced tutors who will help you throughout the comprehensive syllabus of this course and answer all your queries through email. For further clarification, you will be able to recognize your qualification by checking the validity from our dedicated website. Why You Should Choose Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business Lifetime access to the course No hidden fees or exam charges CPD Accredited certification on successful completion Full Tutor support on weekdays (Monday - Friday) Efficient exam system, assessment and instant results Download Printable PDF certificate immediately after completion Obtain the original print copy of your certificate, dispatch the next working day for as little as £9. Improve your chance of gaining professional skills and better earning potential. Who is this Course for? Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business is CPD certified and IAO accredited. This makes it perfect for anyone trying to learn potential professional skills. As there is no experience and qualification required for this course, it is available for all students from any academic backgrounds. Requirements Our Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business is fully compatible with any kind of device. Whether you are using Windows computer, Mac, smartphones or tablets, you will get the same experience while learning. Besides that, you will be able to access the course with any kind of internet connection from anywhere at any time without any kind of limitation. Career Path You will be ready to enter the relevant job market after completing this course. You will be able to gain necessary knowledge and skills required to succeed in this sector. All our Diplomas' are CPD and IAO accredited so you will be able to stand out in the crowd by adding our qualifications to your CV and Resume. Basics of the Information Technology FREE 01:00:00 Introduction: Why I.T.? 01:00:00 I.T. - A Primer 01:00:00 Getting Started 01:00:00 Getting Set Up 01:00:00 Taking It On The Road 01:00:00 An Short I.T. Glossary 01:00:00 Mock Exam Final Exam

Accredited Diploma in IT for Small Business
Delivered Online On Demand7 hours
£25

Educators matching "Small Business"

Show all 9
The HR Dept North Warwickshire

the hr dept north warwickshire

5.0(10)

Honliey

The HR Dept North Warwickshire was established in 2005 and is run by Director Tracey Hudson. Tracey is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Human Resource Management. The HR Dept North Warwickshire offers a wide range of outsourced HR services, tailor-made to suit your business. The HR Dept prides itself on offering a local, pragmatic service at an affordable rate – more financially viable than hiring an in-house HR department or HR Manager. The HR Dept North Warwickshire specialises in: • Employment law • People management • Recruitment • Contracts of employment • Disciplinary and grievance • Dismissal • Performance management • Appraisals • Absence management • Redundancy management • TUPE transfers • Employee surveys • Training and development • Payroll • Health and safety With a wealth of experience in providing HR services to both large, blue-chip companies and smaller owner-manager businesses, Tracey has a clear understanding of the priorities and values of owner-managers across a number of industries. Tracey says: “I am passionate about making a difference to SMEs in the North Warwickshire area by providing comprehensive advice to my clients. Small businesses need flexible, realistic guidance but don’t have the requirement for a full-time, permanent HR practitioner. This is where The HR Dept adds value to a small business, by providing the expertise of highly qualified HR professionals at a fraction of the cost of employing a full-time HR Manager.”

Insite Training

insite training

London

inSITE Training & Development, Inc., a woman owned small business, was started in 1991 by Founder Susan S. Porter. Upon her retirement in 2010, Carol Erdman, who had worked with inSITE for 15 years became President and CEO. Since the turn of the century, inSITE has continued to grow and serve the business community as well as contribute to the community as a whole. Improving the quality and availability of education remains our primary focus for corporations, government agencies, and the non profit community. With a strong administrative team, instructional design staff and seasoned facilitators, inSITE has the unique ability to provide a wide variety of services. We hire graduate level interns to demonstrate our commitment to development of the next generation of instructional designers and instructors. Our forte has been to place teams on-site to assess, develop, deliver, and evaluate classroom-based training and web-based solutions. inSITE has expertise in conducting comprehensive needs and task analysis that truly determine skill-based needs. We focus on performance, not training, so our recommendations, once implemented, create an environment where employees not only have task-related skills to conduct their jobs, but are able to perform at levels needed for employees to reach their benchmarks, departments to achieve their goals, and the organization to attain its strategic plan while being flexible and ready to take on new challenges. Our eLearning modules can be tailored to include your policies, culture and other specific content. We use gamification to engage learners in classroom and web-based platforms. Adults learn when they are engaged and participating so our classroom learning engages all the senses. In order to ensure significant learning occurs in two to six hour courses, we limit lectures to 15 minutes or less and call them lecturettes. The remainder of the class is for large and small group discussion, enriching case studies that are so true to life they arouse emotion, role plays that help participants understand how they naturally behave in certain situations, simulations and video vignettes that demonstrate typical work place issues and bring learning to life. We provide a number of inventories including MBTI and its Step 2, DiSC, Thomas Kilmann, Gregorc Style Delineator, and the Conflict Mode Instrument. The use of the World Café is a highly successful learning format that draws in high level professionals and managers. We ensure a great deal of practice of all new skills and tools so that participants can transfer learning readily upon return to their job. inSITE Training & Development, inc. has conducted all aspects of the ADDIE model for both the Federal government and private sector. Most often, we conduct a needs analysis as a prelude to designing and developing instruction as well. By being involved in the entire ADDIE process and often delivering the training ourselves, we have learned just how comprehensive the needs analysis must be. We have on staff advanced degreed Instructional Designers, Project Managers, Instructors and Facilitators (PhD, MBA, Masters Degree), Coaches (ICF certified), a Psychometrician, a Web designer and a Gamification/eLearning programmer.

Digital West Midlands

digital west midlands

London

We are pleased to share that WMCA have now launched the West Midlands Digital Roadmap, which was unveiled recently at WM Venturefest. Please see the official press release below: WMCA unveils plan for region’s digital future The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has launched its plan to give the region a digital reboot, with an aim to tackle digital exclusion, reach net zero and support a post-Covid recovery. The WMCA Digital Roadmap was presented at Venturefest West Midlands, one of the region’s top business events for digital entrepreneurs. This year’s keynote speaker was Ben Francis, the West Midlands-based founder of billion-dollar sportswear brand Gymshark. The plan outlines five missions to digitise the region, including becoming the UK’s best digitally connected region and increasing access to digital opportunities by tackling digital exclusion. The plan will build on the successes of the region’s 5G testbed and its innovation in transport, and make the most unique regional opportunities like HS2, the Commonwealth Games, and Coventry City of Culture. The Digital Roadmap was launched at Venturefest by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. He said: “This Roadmap sets out an ambitious plan for the West Midlands – to become a technologically advanced, forward looking digital economy, where everybody has access to the internet and data is used to improve our public services. Imbedding the latest technology into our economy will also help us reach net zero, where innovation still has a huge role to play in reducing the burden on us to change the way we live our lives. “Growth has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but despite the adversity, there is also opportunity. The pandemic has accelerated the switch to digital and highlighted the need for a better-connected economy. To bounce back, we must weave digital into the way we do business. This means more digital bootcamps to train us for the jobs of the future; more digital devices to connect our residents to opportunities; and more innovation to help us reduce our carbon footprint and save the planet.” The Roadmap has been developed over the last six months and has been approved by the WMCA Board. As well as aiming to make the West Midlands the most digitally connected region in the UK, the roadmap aims to address the issue of the ‘digital divide’. Since the start of the pandemic many firms have quickly adapted to their employees working from home and communicating online. However, lots of small business have struggled to adopt technology fast enough and some families have struggled with home schooling due to a lack of devices or unaffordable connections. The plan sets out to ensure the region remains number one in leadership on 5G, there will be an accelerated full fibre rollout, and 4G connectivity will be boosted. The roadmap highlights key sectors to support where the region is already globally competitive: Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) in Coventry; data-driven healthcare in Birmingham and Solihull, and the gaming industry’s ‘Silicon Spa’ in Warwickshire. Venturefest West Midlands was founded to provides entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to meet, engage and exchange ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. It is led by the WMCA along with local enterprise partnerships, universities and business organisations. Also speaking at the event was Kari Lawler who launched a start-up at the age of 14 and is also a member of the Young Combined Authority said: “Through my AI youth initiative, YOUTH4AI I have been able to communicate to young people the importance and possibilities of AI. “The West Midlands has a young population which will benefit from a decrease in the digital divide and an increase in digital connectivity.” Cllr Patrick Harley, WMCA portfolio lead for Culture and Digital and leader of Dudley Council said: “Digital connectivity is going to be vital to our economic recovery and harnessing digital innovation will enable economic growth for the next decade and beyond. “This roadmap will help us realise the potential of digital to transform our economy and build economic resilience, firmly putting the West Midlands on the map as the most digitally connected region.”