Every day's a school day - over half of Brummies have used the internet to develop new skills
The University of Life has never been more prevalent as over half of Brummies (58 per cent) have used the internet to learn on average three new skills.YouTube is the most favoured source with over three quarters (87 per cent) claiming the online video channel is the biggest teacher.
The research, conducted by BT, has uncovered that the self-starting people of Birmingham are more likely to use the internet to seek out new skills rather than asking their parents (86 per cent), reading a manual (86 per cent) or even enrolling on an evening or weekend course (89 per cent) with 46 per cent proactively using the internet.
Of the skills learnt via YouTube, 64 per cent of respondents said that they had reached an adequate level.While 50 per cent said that they wouldn’t have learnt these skills had it have not been for the internet, a vast proportion (83 per cent) have gone on to use their new skill – a huge 98 per cent of those successfully.More than three-quarters (83 per cent) of these that have successfully up-skilled would, or have already, recommended others to use the internet as a place to learn a new skill.
Top 10 most popular skills Brummies learn online:
- DIY – 40 per cent
- Cooking – 34 per cent
- Exercise – 29 per cent
- How to apply makeup – 24 per cent
- Car maintenance – 19 per cent
- Gardening – 19 per cent
- A new language – 17 per cent
- Photography – 14 per cent
- A musical instrument – 13 per cent
- Knitting – 11 per cent
Kimberly Wyatt, dancer, TV personality and campaign spokesperson says: “I regularly use the internet as a source of knowledge and have learnt how to do various things such as perfecting the great British roast and checking out new yoga moves - which I can practise at home.It’s really refreshing to know that so many people have been teaching themselves new skills via the internet. From really practical things like cooking, DIY and learning a language to keep fit and dance, the internet is an invaluable source of information that 20 years ago we didn’t have. Everyone has the ability and opportunity to learn a new skill and I would like to encourage everyone to search and learn today. Don’t put it off - it’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.”
Colin Bannon, BT’s regional director for the West Midlands, said: “The internet plays such a big part in everyday lives and this research really celebrates the positive effect that it has. We have instant access at our fingertips at home or on the go that we can literally learn any skill, anytime, anywhere.”
Ends
For more information contact Emma Tennant at the BT regional press office on 0800 085 0660 or email: emma.tennant@bt.com Twitter: @EmmaTennantBT
All news releases can be accessed at our web site: bt.com/newscentre
For more information on Secret Skills contact btconsumer@fhflondon.co.uk
Notes to editors
Survey of 2,000 adults by Onepoll on behalf of BT in April 2016.
About BT
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. With effect from 1 April 2016, the group has been reorganised and the customer-facing lines of business are now: Global Services, Business and Public Sector, Consumer, EE, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 2016, BT Group’s reported revenue was £19,042m with reported profit before taxation of £3,029m.
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For more information, visit www.btplc.com
