Tech and digital trade body Manchester Digital has teamed up with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) for an initiative set to advise and inform those looking to switch to a digital career.
The ‘Switch to Digital careers week’ is hoped to help people who have been impacted by COVID-19 job losses with advice on how their experience in other roles and sectors could secure a role in digital or technology. It is open to people around the UK.
The online event aims to help attendees identify and apply transferable skills and will feature speakers and events from Microsoft, Code Nation, Co-op Digital and AutoTrader.
Microsoft, which in June launched its initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills needed in a COVID-19 recovery, will also be hosting a session on self-learning.
The event has been created in conjunction with the National Citizen Service and Job Centre Plus and will run online from 5th – 9th October, with events running every afternoon.
Katie Gallagher, managing director of Manchester Digital, said: “COVID-19 has permanently changed the way we do business and the impact on some industries will be permanent. Whilst this and the subsequent economic downturn will mean that many people lose their jobs it has also created further opportunities in the digital and tech sector.”
Sean Fielding, GMCA’s lead for employment, skills and digital, added: “In Greater Manchester we are working hard to address the immediate digital skills shortage and are working with employers to diversify and grow their workforce.
“The Switch to Digital careers week will be an excellent opportunity for people considering a career change to find out more about working in the digital sector and the career pathways available to them across Greater Manchester.”