Digital skills partnership for Cheshire and Warrington launched

From left: Maggie Philbin, Andy Shields (DCMS), Christine Gaskell, Pat Jackson (LEP), Clare Hayward, director, Cirrus-Connect and launch chair

Warrington Digital Skills Partnership, a Government-led initiative aiming to increase the digital capability of individuals and organisations, has been launched.

It will be delivered locally by Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The event, at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, saw more than 70 businesses attend to learn more about how the Local Digital Skills Partnership (Local DSP) will accelerate digital skills capacity in Cheshire and Warrington.

Demonstrating existing projects, guests met teams from Digital and Computing Science students from Priestley College and Crewe University Technical College (UTC), along with Bentley Motors and Daresbury SciTech.

Senior representatives from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), joined headline speaker Maggie Philbin, the former Tomorrow’s World TV presenter and now chief executive of Teentech which helps young people understand the opportunities in the science, technology and engineering industries.

Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, Margot James, said: “We are working hard to build a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.

“Through the newly-formed Cheshire and Warrington Local Digital Skills Partnership we will empower regional businesses, educators, charities and public sector to come together to boost skills and the local economy.”

Maggie Philbin describes herself as being “obstinately determined” to ensure young people recognise and develop their potential.

“The digital world is fast moving and holds many opportunities. Tomorrow’s World must be shaped by the many, not the few. Obviously, my focus is on young people – helping them develop the right skills and to realise how much they might enjoy working in this space. But it doesn’t matter whether you’re eight or 80, the learning never stops.”

Christine Gaskell, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “Driving forward the skills provision in Cheshire and Warrington is fundamental to growing our economy.

“The LEP and our partners from across the region recognise the need to invest now, so that we can ensure all residents and businesses have opportunity to develop the right skills needed now and in the future.”

She added: “We are delighted to formally launch the Cheshire and Warrington Digital Skills Partnership and to work with businesses, government and training providers to deliver this project which will future-proof our growing economy.”

Close