Facebook to help with skills shortage

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has teamed up with Facebook to help address the digital skills deficit in the UK’s small businesses.

FSB research found a quarter (26%) of small business owners lack confidence in basic digital skills.

The business group warned that if left unchecked, this would further stall productivity growth in the UK.

Having previously called for UK Government and industry action to tackle this skills shortage, FSB has now invited Facebook to help it deliver custom-made training for small businesses.

FSB policy and advocacy chairman Martin McTague said: “Digital innovation provides enormous potential both for individual businesses

“We’ll work with small businesses and start-ups”

and for improving UK productivity. But these benefits can only be realised if small business owners are able and confident to take advantage.

“That’s why support to improve digital skills among small business owners is so important and why FSB is now collaborating with Facebook to deliver that support.

“We’re particularly pleased this will be delivered through inperson training which we know many business owners value.”

Facebook vicepresident Ciaran Quilty said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and create the majority of private sector new jobs.

“Through the Boost Your Business initiative, in collaboration with FSB, we’ll work with small businesses and start-ups to help them grow.”