Clickworks supports more than 1,600 people in its first year

Clickworks

Clickworks, St Helens Chamber’s centre for all things digital in St Helens, supported more than 1,600 people in its first year.

Located in the town centre, Clickworks is an interactive and supportive space for people and businesses to improve their digital skills.

Since it was opened by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in October 2018, 612 people have completed training courses to improve their digital skills, 939 people have received information, advice and guidance to help them with their careers, and a further 127 people have attended events at the centre.

Kath Boullen, St Helens Chamber chief executive, said: “We developed Clickworks to improve the digital capabilities of local businesses and people and to try and create a digital landscape in St Helens.

“Good digital skills are now required by almost all job roles and are in demand by businesses, so it is an area of training that can benefit everyone, and I am delighted that so many local people have already accessed the service.

“Over the next 12 months we will be continuing to add new courses and I’m excited for the future of Clickworks.”

This month saw the start of a new study programme for young people, providing specialised training in digital marketing and coding to help kick-start their careers, and the launch of coding club – an after-school club aimed at the next generation of digital masters who are keen to learn about coding and give it a go.

Clickworks is also now home to the Digital and Creative Hub, a networking group for people working in digital and creative roles, to collaborate, share ideas and make new contacts.

The development of Clickworks was possible thanks to the support of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Skills Capital Fund, with funding secured from the Local Growth Fund.

Local Growth Funding is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “As we continue to work to make the Liverpool City Region the most digitally connected in the country, it is clear that digital skills are vitally important for businesses and individuals in order to thrive in the 21st century economy.

“That is why we were so proud to support Clickworks and it is proof of the demand for those skills that so many people have taken advantage of this fantastic facility during its first year of operation.”

Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse, and MP for Rossendale and Darwen, Jake Berry, said: “We’re committed to boosting economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse and levelling up our regions as we prepare to leave the EU on 31 October.

“Thanks to over £400,000 of Local Growth Fund investment, Clickworks has made great strides in improving digital connectivity, skills development and the provision of advice and guidance to people in St Helens in its first year of operation. I’m delighted that they have been instrumental in helping hundreds of people in the community develop vital digital skills which will allow them to flourish in a global job market.”

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