New guide speeds up broadband skills

A NEW guide designed to educate businesses on how to get the best out of the internet and other communications technology is to be made available in Yorkshire.

The Business IT Guide (BITG), which has been developed by social enterprise e-skills UK, will be promoted across the region by NYnet – a collaboration between North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Forward to provide a faster, cheaper broadband infrastructure to the area.

Local authority and NYnet websites will also provide a link to the e-skills website as well as sharing content.

Andy Lister, sales and marketing director at NYnet, said that BITG was a valuable resource for SMEs.

“We believe that for businesses to flourish they need sufficient IT training and facilities,” he added.

“Combined with our high speed broadband in North Yorkshire, the support offered by e-skills UK will help improve the economic strength of the area.”

Half of Europe’s productivity gains in recent years are attributed to IT investments.
It is estimated that the continued adoption and exploitation of information communication technology (ICT) could generate an additional £35bn to the UK economy over the coming seven years.

More than 1,350 businesses are already benefiting from the BITG in its first year of operation. Around 95% of the businesses using the guide said they would recommend it to other small businesses.

For more information on the Business IT Guide and how it can support your business please visit the website at http://yorkshire.businessitguide.com/self-help/home/