Cardiff Council’s Into Work services and digital inclusion volunteers have been named in the UK’s Digital Leaders 100 list for 2018.
Digital Leaders is the nationwide initiative for promoting effective, long-term digital transformation across government, industry and charities.
Into Work services and the volunteers are featured in theindependent list that recognises the top 100 people and organisations who are leading the way in digital transformation in all sectors.
The Council has been shortlisted in the Digital Skills or Inclusion Initiative of the Year category and the public vote to choose the overall winner in the group is now open.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said:
“I’m delighted that our Into Work services and our fantastic team of volunteers in our community hubs have been recognised in this prestigious list.
“Digital literacy is now a vital skill for people to have, whether they want to access learning or job opportunities, claim benefits, manage their money or for staying in touch with news, friends and family and so on.
“For many people, going online and knowing what to do is second nature but for others, they need some assistance with going right back to the basics and our teams are able to provide that personal support and help equip them with the skills they need in this digital age.
“Reducing digital exclusion can help us in our commitment to tackling poverty and inequality by providing people with the skills and opportunities they need to get and keep a job. And with the recent introduction of Universal Credit full service in Cardiff, when people will to have to claim and maintain their benefits account online, it’s more important than ever to be digitally literate.”
The Council’s Into Work service can assist people with basic computer skills such as starting up a computer, how to use the internet and setting up and using an email account. They can also help people become work ready with support for CV writing, help with job searches and online applications for Universal Credit. All community hubs in the city have free access PCs as well as free WiFi.
Last year, more than 40,000 customers were supported by the Into Work service and volunteers were vital to the 1,441 sessions held. Many of the volunteers speak community languages which assists clients whose first language is not English. Volunteers have dedicated 19,000 of their own hours since the team was set up in 2014.
The public can now vote for theCouncil’s Into Work services and digital inclusion volunteers by visiting: www.digileaders100.com
The final list order and category winners will be announced in London June 21.
