Free digital growth programme to help

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council have announced significant changes to the new Digital Growth Programme, to ensure there is no delay in the provision of the service which aims to the support the development of micro and small businesses in the regions.
By Claire Cartmill
Published 1st Apr 2020, 13:28 BST
Pictured are Mary Young from Invest Northern Ireland, Councillor Charlie Casey, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council; Niamh Taylor from Alchemy Digital Training Ltd and Alderman Bill Keery, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough CouncilPictured are Mary Young from Invest Northern Ireland, Councillor Charlie Casey, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council; Niamh Taylor from Alchemy Digital Training Ltd and Alderman Bill Keery, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council
Pictured are Mary Young from Invest Northern Ireland, Councillor Charlie Casey, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council; Niamh Taylor from Alchemy Digital Training Ltd and Alderman Bill Keery, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 -2020) Programme.

With the current social distancing guidance in place, due to the Coronavirus, the programme will now be delivered virtually. The programme, which aims to assist the growth of local businesses by helping them learn new skills and develop confidence in using digital platforms and technologies, will now be delivered online from this week.

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The One-to-One Mentoring Support which helps businesses develop their digital capabilities, will be now be delivered remotely and online with each business receiving one to one tailored mentoring sessions from a digital expert.

In addition to this, the councils have created a series of four ‘Go To Webinars’ which will be opened to ALL micro and small businesses within the two regions.

Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Charlie Casey, said: “It is a challenging time for businesses and we have worked with the programme delivery team to make important changes to how the Digital Growth Programme will be delivered to ensure we can act now and guide people through this uncertain time.”

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery said: “Both councils will work with the businesses that have successfully been awarded a place on the programme on a one-to-one basis to help put plans in place now to ensure they have the tools and know-how to act during and after this uncertain time. We also have the potential of helping hundreds of other local businesses through the introduction of four ‘Go To Webinars.’

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The Digital Growth Programme ‘Go To Webinars’ are: Tuesday, April 21: Get Found Online – SEO Tips to Boost Your Visibility, Tuesday, May 12: How to Master Voice Search and Get Heard, Wednesday, August 5: Instagram for Business and Thursday, September 17: Email Marketing for Autumn; Tools, Campaigns and Tips

To be eligible to take part in the Digital Growth Programme ‘Go To Webinars’, your business must be located in Ards and North Down Borough Council or Newry Mourne and Down District Council.

To apply for One-to-One Mentoring Support or to register for one of the four Webinars go to www.thedigitalgrowthprogramme.com

Related topics:Newry