The launch of a new Microsoft gold standard IT academy at Lincoln College is promising to fill a gap in the local digital sector.
The Risual Microsoft Digital Academy was launched by special guest, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), Ursula Lidbetter on Tuesday, January 16.
GLLEP Chair Urasula Lidbetter. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Training will be focussed on apprenticeships in IT, software development, digital marketing and cyber security.
Developed in partnership with risual Education, a Microsoft gold partner, the academy will be the only one of its kind in Greater Lincolnshire.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The apprenticeships will be designed to meet employers’ needs and linked to industry recognised vendor qualifications (Microsoft MOS, MTA, MCP).
An Azure-focused apprenticeship will also be offered to support companies to become proficient in cloud technology.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Collage representatives, stakeholders and local business leaders celebrated the launch of the new academy just weeks after the college secured a provisional £2.3 million from the GLLEP to build a Digital and Professional skills Centre at its Lincoln campus.
Once complete, this will house the Digital Academy and also provide high tech training for the engineering, manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local employers to upskill their existing staff and take on new digitally aware employees to innovate and grow their businesses.
“Our network of more than 1,000 local firms across all sectors has been telling us for some time that digitisation and automation of processes is resulting in critical skills shortages in IT, software development, cyber and digital marketing.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
“This academy is just the start of our Digital Transformation Programme, which will see us develop a Digital and Professional Skills Centre in Lincoln, with bespoke facilities across the county and abroad.
“A similar facility based in Riyadh will even provide the opportunity for our higher education engineering lecturers abroad to share their expertise back here in Lincolnshire.
“We would encourage all firms who are experiencing skills shortages in these areas and people looking for secure, lucrative and exciting careers in digital to get in touch with us.”
Risual Director of Education Tina Jones added: “We are very excited to be working with Lincoln College Group in the Greater Lincolnshire LEP area.
“This is a progressive college group doing fantastic training across a number of key growth sectors in the local economy. Their commitment to now driving IT skills growth within the LEP is exceptional.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!