Hyperoptic, the UK’s fastest residential broadband company, has developed its first Digital Skills Academy for the local people of Southwark. The new Hyperoptic Digital Skills Academy is now recruiting 50 volunteers from library staff, residents looking to gain new digital skills, and students seeking to gain valuable CV enhancing skills,writes Hillary Chaisson. Southwark Council entered into an agreement with Hyperoptic last year, allowing 100,000 homes and businesses in the borough to have access to gigabit full fibre broadband, at no cost to the tax payer. Hyperoptic has invested in connecting the whole of Southwark Council’s housing portfolio, including 53,000 residential homes and nearly 1,000 commercial properties with full fibre to the premises. Dana Tobak, CEO of Hyperoptic, said: “We believe everyone should be able to access and benefit from reliable digital connectivity, and we are thrilled that our skills academy will help connect even people in Southwark to the possibilities available to them online. “ When participating, the volunteers will attend an introductory session delivered by training specialists, We are Digital. After the introductory session, the participants will gain access to fifteen hours of online accredited training courses. These courses cover: digital essentials, banking, recruitment, government services and teaching skills. After completion of the course, the Hyperoptic Digital Skills Champions will then share their skills in workshops they set up across the borough. Hyperoptic provides free full fibre broadband connections to six libraries in Southwark (Canada Water, Peckham, Dulwich, Camberwell, Grove Vale, Kingswood, and New Walworth) where some of the training will take place. Hyperoptic will also work with these libraries to identify ten residents who use Southwark Council’s free home library service, to provide six hours of in-home training from We are Digital. This training will be available for residents with disabilities, older people, carers, or those who cannot visit a library. Anyone interested in applying to become a Hyperoptic Digital Skills Champion should email: better.broadband@southwark.gov.uk
Hyperoptic is recruiting 50 volunteers for it Digital Skills Academy, which aims to help residents of Southwark acquire new digital skills. Photograph: Last year, Hyperoptic and Southwark Council entered into an agreement to connect 100,000 homes and businesses to full-fibre broadband at no cost to the tax payer. The ISP connects six libraries, where some of the training will be provided, to broadband services free of charge.