Jobseekers, career shifters and anyone with an interest in digital skills will get the chance to meet with employers and learn about the vast range of opportunities for local digital careers at an interactive roadshow in Worthing this spring.
Digital Futures West Sussex, a new programme launched to connect local businesses with talented jobseekers, is running nine free roadshows this year, with the first event taking place at Audio Active in Worthing on Monday 20th March from 4pm – 7pm.
The roadshow will showcase the best digital opportunities in the county, with local businesses attending to present their success stories and talk about their work, as well as advising on routes into digital jobs, the roles available and the benefits and salaries associated with digital careers. Attendees will be able to meet with a diverse range of business people from different sectors and find out about relevant courses to support career development.
Mark Bullen, managing director of GB Electronics and Digital Futures ambassador in Arun, Adur and Worthing, said: “In coastal West Sussex alone there are so many exciting opportunities for digital roles, from the increasing number of smaller businesses with growing digital requirements to the large blue-chip organisations that have structured career paths.
“The Digital Futures programme is all about connecting these businesses with talented people and supporting those looking for roles to upskill. If you’re interested in the possibilities of a digital career, please come along to our roadshows where you can speak with employers directly and learn about the variety of opportunities in digital, the skills they’re looking for and how you can get started.”
Jason Webb, director of Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd (ETI), an award-winning digital thermometer manufacturer based in Worthing, said: “The Digital Futures West Sussex roadshows will be a great opportunity for businesses to bring to life what they do and connect with local people. There are so many companies producing industry-leading products and services, but this is simply unknown in our communities.
“At ETI we have a requirement for skilled workers, and we know there are a lot of talented people who have these skills on our doorstep. The Digital Futures roadshow will provide a platform for us and others in the area to show people there are exciting career opportunities right here in coastal West Sussex, with businesses that are innovating in their field.”
Further roadshows will be taking place at the South Downs Centre in Midhurst on Tuesday 18th April and at East Court in East Grinstead on Thursday 27th April.
The Digital Futures West Sussex programme is jointly funded by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex District and Borough Councils. The programme aims to reduce the unfilled digital job vacancies in the county, support upskilling to help local people get digital jobs, and highlight the increasing opportunities that West Sussex offers for those with digital skills.
It is delivered by local strategic consultancy Always Possible with support from three Digital Futures ambassadors, working in partnership with education providers and business networks to connect jobseekers, those seeking a career change, graduates and students with trainers and businesses. In Chichester and Horsham districts the ambassador is Luke Mead, chief executive of LMS Group, and Barney Durrant is the ambassador for Crawley and Mid Sussex, who runs digital marketing company Bluebell Digital.
Digital Futures West Sussex is looking for businesses to support the roadshows, where they can meet potential talent in an open forum of discussion, join a facilitated panel or take part in a talk on tackling challenges and removing barriers to growth and investment. Visit www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk to find out more about how to get involved.
To register to attend the Digital Futures West Sussex roadshow in Worthing on 20th March, visit the Eventbrite page here.
To find out more about Digital Futures West Sussex, please visit: www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk
