Google opens hub to boost digital skills in Scotland

● Tech giant has already given 250,000 people digital and online training in UK

has opened Scotland’s first “Digital Garage” and launched a new training programme in Glasgow.

The former, located on Edinburgh’s Shandwick Place, will be a hub for teaching locals digital skills, as part of the company’s goal to help 100,000 people in the UK find a job or develop their career through digital training over the next three years.

Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, officially opened the venue yesterday, tweeting that she was “delighted” to help launch the project.

It will provide free coaching in a range of digital areas, such as building a CV and staying safe online, to help participants grow their careers or businesses through online skills.

The Silicon Valley giant will also launch a digital skills training programme in and around Glasgow, running around 100 training events open to individuals and companies.

Ronan Harris, managing director of Google UK and Ireland, said: “Everyone should have access to the digital skills they need to grow their confidence, career or business online.

“That’s why we’re excited to bring the Google Digital Garage to Scotland, offering free skills training for local people and businesses.

“Whether you want to take your first steps online, find your next job, turn your passion into your business or launch a new idea, pop in to learn how with our expert coaches.”

According to the Digital Economy Business survey in Scotland, digital literacy is required for 90 per cent of new jobs based in the UK.

The survey also reported nearly two in five Scottish employers currently have vacancies in tech-related roles but more than 20 per cent of adults in Scotland lack basic digital skills.

Just one in four businesses surveyed felt their employgoogle ees had the necessary skills to meet their company’s digital needs.

Small business owner Lisa Henderson, who co-founded a design company after attending an event in Glasgow, said: “We were amazed at how simple it was to learn online marketing to promote our skills as designers and enable us to start working on our own projects.

“With new insights into digital strategy and attracting potential customers, we were inspired to take the risk we hadn’t taken yet, and launch our own business. It paid off.”

Some 88 per cent of training attendees said they had changed the way they do business online with 68 per cent saying they have seen increased sales, bookings, web traffic or social media activity after attending.

Google launched its first UK Digital Garage, in Manchester, three years ago and has since provided training for some 250,000 people.

The enterprise in Scotland is delivered in partnership with organisations including the City of Edinburgh Council and Business Gateway.