Belfast City Council's new "Digital Technology Programme" is now open for applications, aiming to give 320 Belfast businesses free support to help with digital transformation.
The past few years have seen a virtual revolution in how businesses use technology in their day-to-day operations, and those that don't modernise risk falling behind competitors that do. Hundreds of businesses in Belfast have already benefitted from focusing on digital transformation and improving their online presence, saving them money and making them significantly more competitive.
Having seen the benefits that digital transformation can bring to any business, Belfast City Council has launched this new scheme to offer 320 businesses free specialist digital support through its new Digital Technology Programme. The scheme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund and will run for the next three years.
Businesses supported by the scheme can expect mentorship support and workshops to equip them with the skills they'll need to manage digital information, communicate with customers, handle digital transactions, and solve problems in their company using technology that already exists. The programme is expected to help create 360 jobs by helping SMEs scale up and grow their businesses.
Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "We made a commitment in our Belfast Agenda to support our SMEs’ growth and competitiveness and it’s crucial that businesses use the latest knowledge and techniques available to enhance customer reach, engagement, and in turn, increase sales and profitability.”
Applications are now open for all small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) that are located in the Belfast City Council boundary and have been trading for at least six months. The programme officially begins later this month and will consist of 12 workshops and 8-35 hours of bespoke support on everything from social media and web development to online advertising and analytics.
Head over to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/digitaltechnology to apply or find out more about the scheme.
Source: Written based on press release
