Digital Skills Academy Appoint New Director

Image caption: An image of Matthew Smith

The Digital Skills Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of our new director Matthew Smith, to lead the digital offer within the ever-growing tech sector. Matt formerly ran his own training business delivering database design, networking and cloud-based solutions, takes up his appointment with immediate effect.

With more than 13 years’ experience within the further education sector, Matt and has worked at senior management level within several large college groups. He established his own business as a private training provider in 2007 and has since progressed to managing a range of provision from entry-level studies right up to Level 7.

The Digital Skills Academy was set up following a successful bid led by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College to secure funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in response to growing momentum for the fast-paced digitisation of the UK.

The Academy offers students a pathway to ‘in-demand’ digital jobs including software development so that businesses can access a pipeline of people with higher-level skills and address gaps within their workforce. In addition, students will be able to access opportunities to improve the types of digital skills on which every business increasingly relies.

Courses and apprenticeships at a range of levels are available online and will also be offered at the Academy’s base which is being set up the Coventry University Technology Park in the heart of the city’s technology zone, or on employers’ own premises if required.

Our aim is to work in partnership with employers to make sure our training offer is highly relevant and that it is able to support them by providing skilled individuals to boost their workforce. Employers will be involved in the delivery of masterclasses as part of the academy offer and students will be able to access live job opportunities as they arise.

The new academy has been designed to provide high-quality industry-relevant teaching on a flexible basis at a range of levels creating a clear technical education pathway that takes account of individuals’ starting points. Courses are free for those living within a WMCA postcode area.

For more information, contact us: enquiries@digital-skillsacademy.co.uk