Smart Communities and Digital Skills

Availability

Highlighting the availability of online resources & digital skills training is vital to support Smart Communities development. Various programmes and initiatives are available to support this goal: 

• Digital Skills for older citizens: Provides essential digital literacy training to help citizens navigate the digital world, these skills are been delivered through courses such as Age Action’s Getting Started Computer Training for Older People
• GRETB (Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board): Offers a range of ‘Skills to Advance’ training programmes to equip individuals in employment with the necessary competencies for the digital age such as Farm IT Skills. They also offer ‘Community Education’ programmes, ensuring comprehensive support for all age groups and backgrounds. www.gretb.ie
• GRETB Local Creative Youth Partnership: GRETB Local Creative Youth Partnership is bringing creative technology and other youth resources to our digital communities. https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/
• Microsoft: Promotion of Microsoft initiatives such as Skills for Jobs digital courses.
• Public Libraries: Online digital training courses available through library membership, offering over 500 courses including yoga, digital photography, computer basics, Excel, and more along with in-house workshops such as STEM creative technology classes.
• Support and Promotion of Healthy Ireland/Healthy County Galway Initiatives: Promote Healthy County Galway initiatives at Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) to promote health awareness talks and health resources in the community.
• Croí Online Programmes: Provides health-focused online programmes such as Croí Connects programme which offers a telephone helpline and Croí Connects Virtual Chats.
• HSE Health & Wellbeing resources: We will promote health and wellbeing resources and the online HSE libraries to help ensure that all community members have access to valuable health information and services

Actions we will take to support Smart Communities and Digital Skills uptake:

• Collaborate with Education Providers: Work to promote educational providers in the community to enhance access to digital skill training. This will support the sustainability of rural communities and enhance job creation prospects.
• Engage with the Community: Use community engagement to understand the needs and preferences of members of the community, regarding digital skill requirements. This approach ensures that initiatives are tailored to meet the specific requirements of different community groups.
• Support and Promote Collaborative Programmes: Continue to support and promote programmes with stakeholders to provide digital skills training for citizens who do not use the internet, aiming to remove barriers to digital adoption. Increase participation in introductory computing courses and with focus on the older people in our community.
• Leverage Broadband Connection Point Locations (BCPs): Utilise the high-speed connectivity available at broadband connection points (BCPs) to facilitate digital skills training in rural areas, BCPs can help remove poor connectivity as a barrier to engagement in digital activities.

Mission for Smart Communities and Digital Skills

Our mission is to align with European and national digital strategies to support Smart Communities & promote digital skills providers. By doing so, we aim to create an inclusive, innovative, and resilient community that can thrive in the digital age.

We aim to promote training for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. By aligning with Ireland’s Local Government Digital and ICT Strategy 2030 and using the Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) we can help create digital communities and support the delivery of the Smart Communities Programmes

By implementing these actions, we can ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to develop the digital skills necessary to thrive in a Smart Community in a digitally connected world.