Google, on Friday, announced the launch of its first “Digital Garage” in Leeds, aimed at helping more and more British businesses to grow online.
The search giant’s “multi-million pound programme” will see five training centers being build in the UK to provide digital skills training to over 200,000 British businesses by 2016. Businesses will be imparted with guidance and training on how they can use their online presence to grow faster and reach more customers.
Working in partnership with Code Club Pro, Computing at Schools and Raspberry Pi, Google will also offer coding lessons to some 25,000 teachers at the garages. Raspberry Pi computers will also be donated to local schools.
The first “garage” will open in the northern English city of Leeds on March 30 for a six month trial period.
Eileen Naughton, Google’s managing director for UK & Ireland, said “While the majority of UK small businesses recognise the importance of having a website and using basic digital tools, less than 30% of small to medium-sized enterprises have an effective online presence.
“We want to help jumpstart the other 70%. We believe that giving small business-owners access to expert advice will help strengthen the UK’s reputation as one of the most advanced digital economies, and cement its place as the most advanced e-commerce market in the world.
“Alongside this, we want to help ensure that British youth acquire the computing skills needed to succeed in the future. Introducing computer science to the primary school curriculum last year was a great step forward, but investment in teacher training is likewise crucial to ensuring this a success.”
