Sir Terry Matthews has given his backing to a new partnership set up to tackle the digital skills gap in the Swansea Bay City Region.
Speaking about the launch of Digital Skills Training, a public/private venture between Gower College Swansea and IT training and development company Stratum Worldwide, Sir Terry said he was pleased to see the college responding proactively to the economic and commercial opportunities presented by expanding digital networks and the development of applications and services that exploit them.
Digital Skills Training is piloting a number of qualifications based around Microsoft’s global certification programme in software development, network security and database management – programmes that are not currently on offer in the region. Using funding from Welsh Government, the training is available at less than half the normal price for the initial six months.
Chairman of Swansea Bay City Region Board and IT entrepreneur, Sir Terry, said: “Many people don’t realise that there is a huge global skills deficit in software designers and programmers and this is a very well numerated sector. It is very encouraging to see Gower College Swansea grasping the nettle in the development of skills that are critical to the future of economic prosperity in the Swansea Bay City Region.”
Courses run from 28 September at Gower College Swansea’s Tycoch campus. Every successful student will achieve the Microsoft Technology Association (MTA) level and either the Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSA) or the Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) levels.
Gower College Swansea Principal, Mark Jones, added: “In recent months, the college has been actively developing new programmes in priority sector areas that directly respond to employer demand and needs. Through this partnership, we believe that we have a solid foundation - Stratum’s experience of delivering these programmes combined with the college’s contacts, industry links and resources.”
More information on the courses available, costs and dates is available from www.gcs.ac.uk/digital-skills