Google to offer free digital skills training in UK

Google is to offer free digital skills training to everyone in the UK to help them make the most of the company’s online tools.

The new programme, which is set to launch next year, will provide support for individuals and businesses across the country.

Extension

The company will be offering five free hours of training to everyone who lives in the UK, with classes being available in 100 locations across the country, as well as online.

The programme is an extension of Google’s Digital Garage, which was first launched in 2015 with the aim of providing small and medium-sized enterprises with digital skills training and has now reached a quarter of a million people across the UK.

Google’s announcement comes after a report found that the lack of digital skills in the UK is costing the economy billions of pounds every year.

The tech company has now committed to investing in the UK after Brexit, with plans to build a £1 billion headquarters to go ahead. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also committing to the new Google Expeditions programme, which will be introduced to schools across the country.

Access

Commenting on Google’s new digital skills programme, Pichai, said: “No matter where you live, no matter where you're from, no matter what your job is – you deserve access to all the information, education, and opportunity the web has to offer. Our aim is to make sure that every individual and business in the UK has the support they need to make the most of online tools to innovate, compete and have fruitful careers in the digital age.”