Held on 12 March at Deepdale Football Stadium, the event brought together students aged 11–14 and adults aged 55+ for practical digital learning sessions. Students explored digital skills and future careers, with a particular focus on STEM, while older learners received training to build digital confidence, including online safety and everyday digital tasks. Fifteen students also developed their confidence and communication skills by staying on to support the older learners, answering questions and sharing practical tips. 

Delivered in partnership with digital inclusion charity AbilityNet, We. Communications and STEM Learning, supported by representatives from BT Group, Openreach and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology the day combined BT Group’s Work Ready programme and digital inclusion training.   

Richard Marsh, BT Group’s Responsible Business Director, said: 

“At BT, we’re focused on giving people the confidence and skills they need to safely thrive in today’s hyper-connected world. In Preston we saw the power of bringing generations together - learning from each other while tackling digital exclusion in a practical, human way. 

"From spotting scam messages and navigating everyday online services to understanding how digital and STEM skills link to future careers, people left with skills they can use straight away. Empowering people online is what being the UK’s most trusted connector looks like in action." 

Sir Mark Hendrick, Labour MP for Preston, said: 

“I’m delighted that BT Group has chosen to come to Deepdale to deliver this community event. 

“Bringing different generations together, whether that be through the STEM partnerships with local schools, employability support for young people aged 11-14 or building digital confidence in people aged over 55, this will all help to ensure that no one is left behind in the current digital landscape.  

“This is a great example of how improved digital connectivity can support local priorities in Preston and bring social and economic benefits to the area.” 

Sarah Brain, AbilityNet’s Head of Free Services, added: 

“Older people are at a greater risk of digital exclusion, which can lead to isolation and difficulty accessing essential services. Events like this help break down those barriers, while also showing young people the positive impact digital skills can have across communities.” 

The Preston event is part of BT Group’s purpose to Connect for Good and its wider commitment to digital inclusion – helping tackle the digital divide and supporting communities across the UK to develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. These sessions also form part of BT Group’s support for communities benefitting from the rollout of new gigabit-capable broadband delivered by Openreach as part of Project Gigabit, the government's programme to bring fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas. 

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Notes to editors: 

• The event brought together 45 students, teachers, adults aged 55+, and volunteers from BT Group, Openreach and BDUK.
• BT Group works with partners including AbilityNet, We. Communications and STEM Learning to support digital skills development across generations.
• BT Group’s Work Ready programme is helping to close the gap between young people’s digital abilities and the skills employers are looking for, supporting them as they make pivotal decisions on their future subjects. Alongside educators, the programme actively seeks to help 11–14-year-olds develop the practical, technical and human-centric skills that a digital career demands.

About AbilityNet

UK charity AbilityNet has more than 25 years of experience of empowering disabled people through technology at home, at work and in education. In its mission to create a “digital world accessible to all,” it works with individuals, charities, and community groups to champion inclusive digital design, and its experienced consultants enable the private and public sectors to deliver accessible websites, services, and apps. The Charity’s Patron is Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. www.abilitynet.org.uk  

AbilityNet offers free IT support at home and online to older people and disabled people via its nationwide network of 500+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers. To access the free service, call the helpline on 0300 180 0028 during UK office hours, email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or visit: www.abilitynet.org.uk/BTDigitalSkillsPreston 

BT Group today reveals how tech-savvy over-65s are making an average of £650-a-year monetising their traditional skills online.¹

While Gen Z (18-24 year-olds) might be better known for online side hustles, over-65s are knitting, sewing and baking their way to spare cash, often marrying a lifetime of expertise with digital skills to gain followers and funds.

The Gen Z cohort make an average of £1,100 a year, around double what over-65s are making. Yet the BT Group research indicates that over-65s possess a lifetime of skills they could monetise online if they had stronger digital skills.

The research showed over-65s were 30% more likely to possess useful real world skills such as baking and knitting, than those under-65 (see table).

Yet when it comes to digital skills – which would enable them to turn their hobby into a way of generating extra income – the research showed older people are less confident than younger generations.

Despite nearly half (46%) of over-65s striving to improve their digital skills, BT Group’s research shows almost a third (27%) are not confident with tech and over half (57%) feel like technology is passing them by.²

Upskilling half of the over-65s who possess traditional skills, but are not confident with their digital skills, could create over £1.2bn of economic value.³

It comes as BT Group is helping drive digital skills among older generations through free learning programmes, including a free webinar ‘Digital discovery at any age’, a one-hour session to help over-65s to learn basic digital skills on Wednesday February 28 at 1pm GMT.

Helen Ashton, from Leicester turned her talent for painting into an income generator online and is a big believer in embracing digital skills in later life.

Grandmother-of-four Helen, 60, set up ‘Something Completely Different, (SCD) With Love’ five years ago – an online side-hustle specialising in painting staircase murals as well as painting ceramics.

She explained: “The amount of money I make through my side hustle varies, it’s usually around £1,500 for painting a staircase mural and I do about three each year.

“I began painting staircases five years ago for a bit of fun and to earn a bit of extra money, starting with a pub I used to work at in Lancaster.

“I used to get maybe one job a year through word-of-mouth and it was more of a hobby. But when I learned how to use social media to promote myself it turned into something more serious. I expect my business to earn £4,500 this year. 

“I’ve been able to build my audience on social media to promote my work across Instagram and Facebook, reaching so many more people than just word of mouth alone.

“I would urge older people like me to learn digital skills where they can, it’s not difficult and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. I’ve been able to take something I love and turn it into a side hustle that makes me a bit of cash to treat the grandkids”.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “It’s great to see people launch side hustles in later life. Through our learning programmes and tech tips courses, BT Group is proud to be helping older generations get the digital skills they need to convert years of experience into a successful online business.”

To learn new digital skills, register for free to BT Group and AbilityNet charity’s free webinar ‘Digital discovery at any age’. 

Notes to editors:

¹ Research is from a Opinium poll of 2,000 UK adults carried out on behalf of BT Group January 2024.

Breakdown of over 65s traditional skills vs.18 to 34-year-olds:
More than twice as many older people know how to wire a plug as young people (84% vs 39%)
Repair clothes (73% vs 50%)
Polish shoes (99% vs 78%)
Iron clothes (95% vs 86%)
Light a BBQ (76% vs 66%)
Grow plants (86% vs 68%)
Home-making (94% vs 71%)
Knitting (50% vs 31%)
Baking (75% vs 80%)
Restoration (39% vs 39%)
Vehicle maintenance (45% vs 43%)

²Source: the latest Office for National Statistics figures.
³Source: research from the UK Government.
⁴Source: BT Group. Base: All (3,012), All aged 65+ and not confident in their digital skills (195).

About AbilityNet:

UK charity AbilityNet has more than 25 years’ experience of empowering disabled people through technology at home, at work and in education. In its mission to create a “digital world accessible to all,” it works with individuals, charities, and community groups to champion inclusive digital design, and its experienced consultants empower the private and public sectors to deliver accessible websites, services, and apps. The Charity’s Patron is Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. www.abilitynet.org.uk

AbilityNet offers free IT support at home and online to older people and disabled people via its nationwide network of 450+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers. To access the free service, call the helpline on 0300 180 0028 during UK office hours, email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or visit: www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home

2^nd October 2023

BT Group has teamed up with lexicographer and queen of Dictionary Corner Susie Dent to create a Digital Dictionary, in order to help older and digitally excluded people get a better understanding of online jargon.

New research conducted by BT Group found that one in six older people admit to feeling “baffled” by digital terms, and 78% feel left behind by their lack of knowledge. In response, Susie Dent, BT Group and UK charity AbilityNet have partnered to create the Digital Dictionary, which identifies the most commonly misunderstood words used on the internet, and provides simple explanations.,

The Dictionary contains 21 words in total, including the likes of hyperlink (41% misunderstood), QR code (24%) and the cloud (23%). Lack of understanding around these common online terms creates a significant issue, with the survey of 2,000 older people finding that even though they spend just five and a half hours a week online, over half (55%) wish that they were more knowledgeable when it comes to using the internet.

38% of older people said they experienced feelings of frustration when unable to understand digital terms, and in fact, over one in 10 respondents think online terms are so complicated that a foreign language would be easier to learn.

Furthermore, 16% of people worry that others will see them as a ‘burden’ if they ask for help, especially as over one in ten (16%) admit that family members have got irritated when having to explain to them.      

Lexicographer, Susie Dent said: “Whilst so much of modern life seems easier online – whether that’s booking a doctor’s appointment, managing your finances, or doing the weekly shop – we’re forgetting one crucial thing: it’s only easier if you understand the language the web is built on.

So, I’ve teamed up with BT Group and AbilityNet to create this Digital Dictionary, a guide that simplifies the language of the internet, with the aim of helping us all make the most of life in an online world.”

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Campaigns Director, BT Group said: “It’s a shame to see from the research that older adults feel they are a burden when asking for help navigating their way online. We want to create a more inclusive society by helping them make the most of life in the digital world.

We hope that both the Digital Dictionary and variety of online guides on offer will give people the confidence to start exploring the internet and give them all the training and support needed to live life to the fullest in the digital age.”

Sarah Brain, Free Service Manager at AbilityNet said: “For anyone who didn’t grow up with smartphones or super-fast broadband, being online can feel like a whole new world to some. Resources such as the Digital Dictionary are helping to address the need to support older generations towards understanding ever-changing online jargon.”

Earlier this year, BT Group announced a new partnership with the charity AbilityNet to help improve the digital skills of 4,000 older and digitally excluded people across the UK in 2023. The ‘Senior Skills’ programme will deliver more than 1,000 group and one-to-one training sessions to those who need it most in regions across the UK.

As part of Senior Skills, BT Group has created a variety of online guides that will help give anyone the knowhow and confidence to start exploring the internet, whilst inspiring them to unlock the possibilities from using it. Each guide comes with both a digital helper section (for the volunteer) and a learner section too, which can easily be downloaded and printed at home for convenience.        

Visit www.bt.com/seniorskills to view the Digital Dictionary and find all the training and support needed to live life to the full in the digital age.

Research of 2,000 older people revealed the top 30 online jargon they don’t understand:

1. Smishing
2. Vishing
3. Hyperlink
4. USB-C
5. Ransomware
6. URL
7. Phishing
8. QR code
9. Cloud
10. Malware
11. IP address
12. Cookies
13. Streaming
14. Tabs
15. Processor
16. Spam
17. Antivirus
18. Hardware
19. Browser
20. Upload
21. USB
22. Social media
23. Emoji
24. Webpage
25. App
26. Google
27. Download
28. Search Engine
29. Software
30. Smartphone

Today, BT Group reveals the growing importance for school leavers to possess digital skills for the workplace - as new research of company bosses shows they value them just as highly as a university degree.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) UK CEOs and senior decision-makers said basic digital skills are the asset that makes a young person most employable (39%), compared to non-vocational university degrees (22%).

It comes at the time of the year when many students will be considering their options after finding out their A-Level results last week. 

BT Group’s polling of business leaders suggests that students possessing basic digital skills can be as attractive to employers as having a university degree.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of UK business leaders said a person with digital skills has as good a career prospect as someone holding a degree, while 67% said basic digital literacy  is the single most important skill their business seeks in young employees.

Skipping Oxbridge for ‘Toksbridge’, this TikTok generation is putting its knowledge of tech to good use and ranks highly for social media skills. Yet despite their tech knowledge, 65% of business leaders say 16-24 year-olds struggle when it comes to basic digital skills.

Over half (56%) of the businesses BT Group spoke with find young people often struggle with simple computer-based workplace tasks, such as creating a spreadsheet, writing a professional email, or operating workplace software.

Thankfully, the jump from knowing how to use a smart phone or games console to learning business-ready digital skills can be easy

Anthony Ogbanufe, 25, from South London, chose to skip university and instead enrolled on BT Group’s apprenticeship scheme, where he found his knowledge of gaming helped him to thrive as a product designer:

“Being a big gamer helped me because I could understand how things should work well for users and it gave me intuitive design insights, which was useful when I helped redesign the BT gaming page,” he said. 

BT Group’s Work Ready events and its partnership with FastFutures is helping to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by helping young people build on their experience and confidence of using tech to learn new skills that will see them succeed in the workplace.

Nearly eight out of 10 (79%) of UK business leaders said that an employee who has learnt extra digital skills ‘stands out’ among similar candidates.

Despite having good grades, Laura Jenkinson, a 22-year-old trainee accountant from Stroud, decided to skip university to start her career. She said having digital skills helped her to thrive in a role that usually requires a degree.

“It took me a while to get to grips with things but I was glad I had stuck to my guns. Being tech savvy helped me in my first position a lot – it was something I could bring to the job when I hadn’t had any experience yet,” she said.

The UK has one of the widest digital skills gaps of any developed country, which is currently estimated by the government to cost the economy as much as £63 billion a year in potential GDP ².

Nearly 80% of business leaders said their reliance on computing skills is going to increase massively in the next few years. And for three quarters (74%) polled by BT Group, possessing real-world business-related digital skills is often as good as having a degree when it comes to hiring young people.

“While qualifications are important, they are not the be-all and end-all,” said Danielle Holmes, founder of Black Nova Designs. “Having digital skills is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a mandatory requirement. I’m not talking about becoming an expert graphic designer, I’m talking about basic skills like knowing how to use Microsoft, email management and staying safe online. You could be a mechanic or a hairdresser; in the digital age, you still need a basic tech skill set.”

BT Group’s investment in improving the UK’s digital skills is enabling its partners to offer community training designed to provide essential digital skills training for 10 million school children, families and businesses across the UK.     

22-year-old Callum Emptage graduated in 2020 with a degree in classical civilisation and philosophy, but struggled to find a job in that field. He enrolled on a BT’s Data bootcamp shortly after completing the FastFutures programme and within six months was proficient in several software applications, such as Power BI and Excel, and had learnt the fundamentals of data analysis and programming.

“I always talk about [the programme] because it literally changed my life in half a year. I went from no data skills, to a job in data analysis, and it’s crazy to think about how much things have changed since I clicked on the ad for FastFutures.’

The UK faces an alarming digital skills gap, which is having a profound impact on the country’s ability to keep up with more digitally advanced countries. Many of the digital skills employers need are taught on these courses, which are available to 16-24-year-olds nationwide.

Victoria Johnson, Digital Impact and Sustainability Campaigns and Engagement Director, BT Group, said:

“Young people may feel they don’t have the skills they need to thrive in the world of work, but the jump from being tech-savvy to business-ready isn’t as big as they might think. With such a wide digital skills gap in the UK, loads of firms are seeking people with basic digital skills that can be trained to develop into roles that would traditionally have required a degree.

“At BT Group we’re proud to be supporting young people who want to build upon what they already know about tech to learn business-relevant digital skills. Armed with digital skills, brilliant careers across a huge range of industries await the smart, ambitious, talented people who will build the diverse, inclusive internet of tomorrow.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

¹ All research unless otherwise stated is from a Census wide poll of 500 business decision makers carried out on behalf of BT Group between 04/08/2023 - 10/08/2023. 
² Policy paper UK Digital Strategy Updated 4/10/2022

• Study shows social media is now the top sales channel for a quarter of UK small businesses.
• 1 in 3 small business owners feel excited about using social, but over half (58%) want help upskilling.
• 60% of entrepreneurs wish they’d had more digital skills support at school, BT survey finds.
• BT is working with Patricia Bright, online entrepreneur and influencer, to provide small businesses with top tips for success. 
• Stacey Kehoe, Founder of Brandlective Communications, shares how digital upskilling helped her bounce back from multiple redundancies.

A quarter (28%) of small businesses in the UK are now generating more sales from social media than from any other channel, including e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar stores, according to research from BT*.

Yet, despite the widespread uptake of social media as a sales tool, one in five (21%) entrepreneurs are concerned that they lack the digital skills to help them get the best results for their business out of social platforms.

In a bid to help the UK’s smallest enterprises better leverage the business benefits of social media, BT has teamed up with business influencer and YouTube star, Patricia Bright, to offer expert guidance on how to use digital marketing, and tailor strategies to use social media in an impactful way.

The campaign also comes as BT celebrates supporting more than one million entrepreneurs through its Skills for Tomorrow programme, which provides free digital skills training, courses, resources and mentoring for any small business in the UK.

BT’s study investigated social media strategies used by more than 500 small businesses in the UK and found that Meta-owned platforms are the most important for revenue-hunting entrepreneurs. Almost a third (30%) of those asked said Facebook was the primary social media channel they use for sales generation, followed by Instagram (18%), Twitter (10%) and TikTok (9%). 

Social media is also seeing a growth in popularity compared to other marketing tools used to generate sales, with a quarter (25%) using organic/non-paid social media to increase income, and 22% using paid social media posts. These are both being used more widely than other digital tools like direct email marketing (18%) and SEO (15%), and more traditional tactics like partnerships (11%) and leafletting (11%).

Behind the times

While many entrepreneurs have turned their expertise in social media into a competitive advantage, some admit to feeling overwhelmed by changes to rules, algorithms, and consumer habits. One in five (21%) feel "behind the times", 16% feel "stressed", and others feel "anxious" and "confused" when they think about how to best use social for their business.

These feelings often come from the frequent changes to advertising rules, the complexity of paid social performance and making the most of customer data. Facebook Marketplace, TikTok and Instagram shops all help businesses reach new audiences and convert sales within social media sites, yet guidelines and algorithms vary across platforms – which is leaving many business owners feeling left in the dark.

Digital skills plea

More than half (58%) of small business owners say they would benefit from digital skills training, and even more (60%) wish this support had been offered to them while at school.

When discussing which skills they need most help with, almost a quarter (24%) would welcome support in targeting the right audience online, one in five (21%) would like a hand understanding social media and creating a brand online, while a 19% are calling for more advice on wrapping their head around cyber security – something that can have a catastrophic impact if not implemented correctly.

Teaming up with Patricia Bright 

Digital creator, Patricia Bright, knows only too well how social media can create more opportunities for business owners and supercharge growth. Having launched her own YouTube channel while studying at university, Patricia harnessed the brand-building benefits of social media and grew her following organically, using her platforms to earn revenue through partnerships. Now Patricia has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, she encourages business owners to make the most of free online courses, like those offered by BT, to equip themselves with the skills that will enable them to create better online content and use social media to attract new customers.

Patricia Bright, Entrepreneur and Influencer, said: “Digital marketing skills are now a ‘must-have’ for small business owners so that they can grow awareness and build stronger relationships with potential customers. Getting started with social media for your business might seem daunting at first but there’s now more support available to entrepreneurs than ever before. I learned first-hand that investing time to foster a strong social media following can put you in touch with new customers directly and showcase your services and products more clearly, building a powerful brand image and reputation.”

Chris Sims, Managing Director of Small and Medium Enterprise at BT, said: "Some of today’s most successful businesses were built on social media. Over three quarters (76%) of today’s business owners rely on social media platforms or an online presence to drive sales. At a time when business owners face rising costs, social channels can offer small businesses a competitive advantage: helping them reach, and engage with, new audiences – and ultimately drive sales. As well as providing the digital foundation to help them grow, our role at BT is to help the nation’s small business owners keep.”

Maria who runs a popular hair salon, Maison Style, in Southwest London, spoke about her own journey with Digital Marketing “When I first considered using digital marketing to advertise Maison Style, I didn’t know where to start. There’s just so much to cover and learn, which can be a bit overwhelming – our Instagram channel is one way in which we promote our salon, but it’s difficult to find the time to focus on finding new customers when you’re running a salon. Patricia has inspired me to get better at using social media to grow my business and use the powers of social media to find new customers.”

Stacey Kehoe, Founder of Brandlective Communications, a BT customer who has benefitted from the free digital skills courses, explains: "With so much uncertainty around the economy, it can be hard to feel like you have control over your business. However, preparing yourself through training is a great way to stay ahead, ensuring you have the necessary skills to move forwards. Get out there and learn new skills – who knows where it could take your business."

ENDS

Notes to editors

* Research conducted by Opinium of 2,000 UK Adults, including 500 people who run their own business or side hustle, between 30 December 2022 – 05 January 2023

Patricia Bright’s 5 Top Social Media Marketing Tips

1. Be yourself! Having an original and authentic tone of voice will help to naturally engage a wider audience and communicate your brand values.  
2. Ensure your content can reach across all social platforms – don’t be afraid to edit your style so it’s appropriate for different audiences. Vary tone across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  
3. Be receptive to community feedback – try to nurture relationships and better understand your target audience.
4. User-Generated Content is great – encourage your true fans or customers to make their own content that shares what you do. This also helps foster a greater sense of community.
5. Get organised. Schedule and put systems in place to ensure you’re posting regularly. Being consistent will help to ensure your following grows organically. 

Research unveiled by BT Business today demonstrates the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit stands strong in 2023, with more than four in ten (44%) of the workforce revealing that they would like to start a business or side hustle in 2023. And with technology and improved connectivity making things easier than ever, almost one in three (30%) UK workers are looking to start up online. 

The survey found that almost three quarters (73%) of those already running a business or side hustle feel they couldn’t do so without reliable broadband and mobile connectivity. Mobile phones are now rated the number one device for managing a business – with 59% choosing their phone as the top tech tool to run their operations – outstripping laptops and desktop computers*.

The research uncovered the critical importance of reliable connectivity for today’s small businesses, as 41% of entrepreneurs now run their business solely online, with no in-person presence. The study also highlighted the economic benefits of being a digital entrepreneur, finding that social media, their own website and e-commerce platforms are all now more important than bricks-and-mortar locations for driving sales**.

The new data from BT Business highlighted that the cost-of-living crisis is driving UK-based entrepreneurs to take the plunge – with making extra cash the top motivation for those who have already started a business (28% of respondents agreed).

Flexibility is another motivator for current entrepreneurs, with breaking free from the “traditional 9 to 5” (26%) and being able to work from anywhere in the world (22%) cited as other top reasons for having launched a business in the digital age.

Choosing when and where they work is also key for those in the UK workforce still thinking about starting their own business this year. 38% say that the benefit of launching their own online business or side hustle would be fitting it around other priorities, such as family. 34% would like to do it around their current day job, and the same proportion (34%) are drawn to being able to run their business from anywhere in the world.

 Improvements in connectivity have helped to spread the economic benefit of digital entrepreneurship across the UK, with over two thirds (69%) of those surveyed saying technology has empowered them to run their businesses in more rural areas of the country, away from cities.

Social media in particular is playing an important role. Almost a third (30%) of entrepreneurs feel excited about the role that social media plays in running their business. While over three quarters (76%) of today’s business owners rely on social media platforms or an online presence to drive sales.

However, as with all fast-paced advancements, many can be left feeling lost and confused – highlighting the importance of digital skills for today’s “techpreneurs”. The survey data highlighted a proportion of business owners do not feel positive about the role of social media. A fifth (20%) feel “behind the times”, 16% feel “stressed”, and others are feeling “anxious” and “confused”.

“From side hustles at the kitchen table to start-ups and scale-ups, at BT Business we recognise that reliable and fast connectivity is the backbone of small and medium businesses up and down the UK,” explains Chris Sims, Managing Director – Small and Medium Enterprise, BT.

“As digital entrepreneurialism goes from strength to strength, our networks are processing more data than ever. That’s why we’re committed to providing the very best broadband availability, speeds, and mobile connectivity for all of our customers – and investing in upskilling more small businesses to help them unlock their digital earning potential.”

Mobile data usage amongst BT business customers has grown 16% year-on-year in the last three years. The network reported its highest volume of data processed ever on Boxing Day 2022.

As the reliance on digital tools grows, the BT Business team investigated how prepared entrepreneurs feel when it comes to using tech to boost their business. Of those surveyed, 76% expressed a desire to improve their digital skills. Out of this group, 24% want to focus on targeting the right audience online, 21% want to improve their understanding of social media, and another 19% want to strengthen their cyber security skills.

Business owners also recognise the positive impact these improved digital skills can have on their profits – with 35% agreeing it will help them boost sales and reach new audiences. Other benefits cited include saving money (26%) and time (25%).

To help bridge the gap, and support small business owners in improving their digital skills, BT offers a range of courses specifically targeted to work life as part of its Digital Skills initiative. These courses are free to access, and cover a wide variety of topics including digital marketing and social media, helping to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs navigating the modern SME landscape.

To date, more than 750,000 businesses have benefited from digital skills training support from BT – against a wider backdrop of 5.47 million small businesses across the UK, contributing £2.1 trillion to the economy***.

Stacey Kehoe, founder of Brandlective Communications, is a BT Business customer who has benefitted from the free digital skills courses. She explains: “With so much uncertainty around the economy, it can be hard to feel like you have control over your business. However, preparing yourself through training is a great way to stay ahead, ensuring you have the necessary skills to move forwards. Get out there and learn new skills, who knows where it could take your business.” 

ENDS

Research conducted by Opinium of 2,000 UK Adults, including 500 people who run their own business or side hustle, between 30 December 2022 – 05 January 2023

*The devices most used by Brits to manage their businesses are phones (59%) and laptops (53%).

**Websites are the channel which sees the most sales for those with a business or side hustle (30%), closely followed by social media (28%). Ecommerce marketplaces (18%) and bricks and mortar locations (16%) are also key for generating income.

*** National small business data taken from: ‘BUSINESS POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE UK AND THE REGIONS 2022’, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, October 2022

• New research from BT reveals that 71% of older people say sharing videos and pictures with family helps tackle isolation but only 17% actually do this regularly
• Research comes as BT customer service advisor Ricky teams up with football legend Sir Geoff Hurst to make lifelong fan’s dream come true whilst teaching him a  new digital skill
• BT has pledged to equip 25 million people with new digital skills by 2026, including the older generation

Monday 26th September 2022 New research from BT reveals more than nearly half¹ of over 70s don’t feel fully confident using their mobile phones beyond simple calls. Despite this, almost three quarters believe phones improve connections with their family and friends

The research also shows nearly three quarters of older people using their mobile device to connect with important services like doctors say it has improved their independence. Lifelong learning is key as 80% of over-65s want to be even more proficient when it comes to the digital world and 60% want to learn a new skill, according to the research.

To help improve digital skills for older people BT has teamed up with football legend Sir Geoff Hurst and building on the connections made through its Care Home Companions scheme. Born out of a project set-up by a group of BT employees in 2020 to help tackle loneliness in the UK, Care Home Companions sees customer service advisors using their personal  and local communication skills to chat with residents who might not have anyone else to talk to on a regular basis.

Care Home resident Bill suffered isolation and loneliness during lockdown and was paired with Ricky through the scheme. With the help of Sir Geoff, Ricky has made Bill’s, a lifelong football fan’s dream come true, by recreating the most famous goal in England’s history whilst teaching him a digital skill.

Sir Geoff, 80, helped footie fan Bill Oliphant, 72, commentate his hat-trick goal from the 1966 World Cup Final, with the famous line “They think it’s all over… it is now”. Ricky and Sir Geoff guided Bill to share the moment through a video call with friends at his care home.

Ricky and Bill first struck up a friendship in 2020 and continued having weekly phone calls ever since. The pair forged a bond over their love of football and Bill’s passion for commentating.

BT and EE contact centre teams take great pride in their unique role of connecting people. The employee-led initiative, Care Home Companions gives back to local communities and continues to support the most vulnerable.

BT’s digital skills programme teaches vital digital skills, so everyone can benefit from staying connected, such as making video calls and sending texts. BT have committed to reach 25 million people with help to make the most of life in the digital world by 2026 and have so far upskilled 14.7 million people.

Sir Geoff Hurst said: “What BT are doing to get older people to connect with technology is fantastic.

“At my age, I meet a lot of people who are on their own and suffer with loneliness. I am fortunate that I’m in regular contact with my immediate family including a WhatsApp group called ‘Family Bants’.

“But there are people such as Bill who have very little family around them or at all so it’s a great thing to connect them - through technology - so they can speak to their mates or people they have lost contact with years ago.”

Bill, from Ashington, Northumberland, said: “Meeting Sir Geoff was a dream come true - I’m a huge football fan and being able to commentate ‘that’ moment was incredible. Even more so because we were able to share it with my friend too.

“I don’t get many visitors at the home anyway and when Covid hit, the number dropped to almost none.

“I did feel really lonely and one of the few people I spoke to regularly was Ricky - we bonded over our love of football - and he’s really given me the confidence to try out new technology that makes things easier for me.

“I’m not very good on electronics so I’m very grateful to Ricky for teaching me, every bit of advice I get is really appreciated.”

Ricky, Customer Care Advisor at BT said: “This scheme really resonated with me because my Nana and Grandad live in a rural area and don't have people around them. Luckily, just before COVID I taught them how to make video calls, and upgraded my Grandad to a smartphone and taught him how to use it.

“But I’ve seen first-hand what difference that makes to them just to see each other face-to-face. So, I thought it would be nice to do that with someone else as well.  

"When I was introduced to Bill, we quickly bonded over Newcastle United, and I learnt that he's a huge supporter. Bill told me all about when he was younger, that he used to go to all the games - he still commentates over old football games with me. And he is actually a really good commentator, and it's great to listen to.”

Tania Caporaso, BT’s Director of Customer Care, said: “Personal connections are at the heart of everything we do, whether that’s helping families and friends stay in touch by phone, emails, texts or the small interactions our advisors make with customers everyday as we help solve their issues.

“So, when our customer service advisors suggested using their professional skills and to volunteer to help lonely care home residents back in 2020 – I couldn’t think of a better way to help older people in our local communities.

“This wonderful moment between Ricky and Bill shows what a big impact a weekly call can have and seeing them meet for the first time shows the power of that connection. Starting with a simple phone call Ricky is now helping Bill to learn new digital skills to stay connected in different ways.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

*Survey of 2,001 UK consumers aged 50 and above carried out in March and April 2022 by Sapio Research, on behalf of EE.

About Care Home Companions

In line with BT’s mission to Connect for Good, Care Home Companions was born out of an existing project set-up by a group of BT employees in 2020 to help tackle loneliness in the UK. BT, EE and Plusnet contact centre colleagues volunteer to regularly chat with care home residents to keep them company - volunteers work with the care home managers to find a companion with similar interests and find a suitable time to help get the budding friendships off to the best start.

The scheme’s launch was hugely successful, with around 140 volunteers making over 1600 calls to care homes in the North East during 2020, so in 2021 it was expanded to over 300 care homes nationwide with their partner HC-One.

BT colleagues use their personable and local communication skills they’ve learnt as customer service advisors to chat with residents who might not have anyone else to talk to on a regular basis.

About EE

EE runs the UK's biggest and fastest mobile network, offering superfast connections in more places than any other operator. EE brought the first 4G network to the UK in October 2012, and launched the UK’s first 5G network in May 2019.

EE has received extensive independent recognition, including being named the UK’s no.1 5G network by RootMetrics® in 2020 and 2021, and the UK’s best network by RootMetrics® every year since 2014, as well as being named Network of the Year at the 2022 Mobile Industry Awards.

As well as delivering mobile services to consumers, small and medium businesses, corporate customers and Government programmes, EE also provides home and business broadband using both 4G and fixed line connections.

EE is committed to being number one for service in the industry, and has nearly 600 shops across the UK. EE remains the only mobile provider to answer 100% of customer calls in the UK and Ireland and was recognised as the UK’s Best Large Contact Centre by the UK Customer Experience Awards 2018 and Welsh Contact Centre Awards 2019. EE was awarded The Sunday Times’ Best 100 Companies to Work for in 2018 and 2019, as well as being named Best Employer 2018 by the European Contact Centre & Customer Service awards.

EE is part of BT’s Consumer business unit which provides products and services to all of BT’s consumer customers in the UK.

Follow us on…

Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ee

Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ee

YouTube at: www.youtube.com/ee

LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/company/ee-uk

¹ 41% of over 70s asked in Survey of 2,001 UK consumers aged 50 and above carried out in March and April 2022 by Sapio Research, on behalf of EE.

The past few years have created new ways of working and doing business. A time of significant change has caused many to think about whether their current career path is right for them long-term.

According to research we conducted, 69% of people would reskill and work in a different field if given the opportunity. The number of workers looking to switch careers in the “great resignation” is an unprecedented opportunity to tackle the cyber skills gap.

What’s clear from our research, though, is the cyber security industry itself is still facing an uphill battle around perceptions and awareness. Before being told more about the sector, only 4% of UK adults would consider cyber as an alternative industry if they were to retrain. This reduced to as little as 1% in females.

We recently launched a first-of-a-kind 16-week reskilling programme, in collaboration with CAPSLOCK, to tackle the shortfall of people with cyber security skills and continue our commitment to investing in our people. The initiative will see people across various areas of the BT business retrained and placed into crucial cyber security roles, all while keeping their pay cheque.

The scheme is all about opening doors for those who might not have seen an obvious way into a security career, while also challenging many of the perceptions and barriers that are preventing people from considering careers in cyber security.

Perceived barriers to entry in cyber security

So, what’s the extent of the problem? Well, the cyber security industry is still perceived as opaque and inaccessible to many. When asked why they didn’t see cyber security as a viable career path, over two thirds (38%) of people said they didn’t know enough about the sector, while 32% said cyber sounded too technical for them, and a quarter (25%) cited age as a potential barrier. When asked to imagine a cyber security professional, 39% of people imagined someone with a bachelor’s degree or above.

The reality is that our industry requires a broad array of skills and there are a wealth of different roles in the industry, many of which rely on transferable skills that many people already possess. Those with the right attitude and determination can thrive in the cyber security industry, irrespective of their experience, education or age.

Insurmountable barriers to reskilling

The sector clearly has a way to go in addressing misconceptions, but there are also more general concerns about switching careers. Almost half (42%) of the UK’s workforce feel unable to leave their current career path.

Amongst those who feel barriers to switching careers are too great, over a third (31%) believe they are too old to learn new skills, 28% say the uncertainty of getting a foot in the door of a new industry is their biggest worry and 24% said they said they can’t afford to take time off to get the necessary accreditations for their dream role.

While addressing misperceptions of the cyber security industry is the right step in encouraging more people to consider the profession, we must also offer pragmatic routes into the industry. Reskilling programmes are a key part of how organisations can retain and grow talent, by identifying individuals with relevant interests, potential, and transferable skills and supporting them to reach their full potential.

Our recently announced reskilling opportunity is just one example of how we’re committed to the development of our own people’s careers. Outside of BT, we’re also proud to support the public through our Skills for Tomorrow programme. Since the start of the pandemic, our Work Ready webinars have boosted digital and employability skills, covering topics such as CVs and job interviews.

For more information on our reskilling programme in collaboration with CAPSLOCK 

For more information on careers at BT Security, visit our careers page

EE has created PhoneSmart, the first phone licence, offering a free online programme that provides young people with the tools and confidence to use phone technology safely and responsibly. EE believe every child should be safe on their phone.

In collaboration with experts from Internet Matters, and in consultation with Home-Start, ChildNet, Marie Collins Foundation and the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the licence teaches kids about key components of phone safety across four modules including online hate, digital wellbeing, staying safe online and digital & media literacy.

The free-to-access programme, which takes approximately one hour to complete and features a range of engaging storylines and interactive quizzes and activities, will highlight the benefits and dangers of tech use, and provide a platform for children to understand how to report instances of online abuse, hate, discrimination and cyberbullying.

Research from Ofcom revealed that 49% of eight to 11 year-olds now own their own smartphone. That number increases to a whopping 91% for 12 to 15 year olds, with 81% having had at least one potentially harmful experience online in the past year. As a result, adults are becoming increasingly wary of the challenges presented by giving a child their own device.

A survey of UK parents, commissioned by EE, has highlighted that almost a third (30%) of parents are less worried about their child’s first day of school than them receiving their first phone. The survey also revealed that just 21% of parents think children should be given complete privacy when it comes to their phone, while 69% believe it is ok to check their child’s phone while they are asleep. Furthermore it highlighted that prior to giving their child a phone 87% of parents had a conversation with their kids around online dangers, positioning phone safety as a prevalent issue for parents. 

The EE PhoneSmart Licence will look to combat these issues, preparing children to navigate the online world independently as they get their phone, and reassuring parents that their child is aware of their new-found responsibility as a digital citizen. To launch the Licence, EE has unveiled a new short film, featuring musician Clement Marfo, highlighting not only the breadth of things that can be done with a phone, from creating new dance routines to learning a new skill, but also the dangers that children may be exposed to. The film can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/nQnnaxKFJtU

Marc Allera, CEO of EE, said: "Our EE PhoneSmart Licence is designed to prepare children for the big wide world that a connected device can open up for them, and give them the tools to stay safe and be kind online.

"As the UK's best network, and with a desire to connect for good, we're playing our part in helping educate young people – not just EE customers – with a free online programme that will gives parents and guardians the confidence to prepare their child with the digital skills they need for a brighter future."

Available to everyone, not just EE customers, the EE PhoneSmart Licence will look to engage hundreds of thousands of young people and forms part of BT Skills for Tomorrow, which is helping 25 million people in the UK make the most of life in the digital world. The programme is completely free and designed to help people across the UK – from children and their parents, older and more vulnerable people, to job seekers and small businesses. It offers a wide range of free courses, webinars and advice anyone can use to boost their confidence and understanding of digital tools and technology to make daily life better and realise their long-term ambitions. BT Skills For Tomorrow can be accessed for free at BT.com/SkillsForTomorrow.

To launch the PhoneSmart Licence, EE has teamed up with parent, singer and actress Louise Redknapp: “There are so many things to consider when giving your child a phone: it really is a minefield. The scariest thing is, once the phone is in their hands, the parent no longer has control over what they’re seeing or accessing. The responsibility shifts to them, and that is huge! It’s a really big decision to decide when the time is right.

“Having this Licence from EE reassures me that my child has an understanding of phone safety. It really helps puts my mind at ease that my child understands how to use their device in the safest, most productive way.” 

To find out more about the EE PhoneSmart Licence, visit EEPhoneSmart.co.uk

Notes

EE PhoneSmart Licence Modules

• Online hate: Understanding inclusivity and identifying hate online
• Digital wellbeing: Understanding the impact that screen time & tech on health
• Staying Safe Online: Understanding the 4 Cs (content, contact, conduct and contract risks)
• Digital & Media Literacy: Understanding fake news and social media as an information source

The research was commissioned by EE and carried out online by OnePoll. The survey was conducted between 6^th October 2021 and 11^th October 2021. The sample comprised 1000 UK parents of children aged 5-16. OnePoll are members of ESOMAR and employ members of the MRS. Additional research taken from Ofcom’s 2020/21 Children and parents: media use and attitudes report, and Ofcom’s January/February 2020 Internet users’ experience of potential online harms research report.

• BT Skills for Tomorrow has helped 10 million people across the UK improve their digital knowledge and confidence, a goal that has been reached five years ahead of schedule

• BT offers a wide range of free courses, webinars and advice to help people make the most of life in the digital world through BT Skills for Tomorrow

• BT Skills for Tomorrow has been integral in providing the nation critical support during the pandemic

BT is proud to announce that it has reached its original goal of helping 10 million people across the UK to improve their digital skills, five years ahead of schedule. Key to achieving this milestone was the success of BT’s Top Tips on Tech campaign in partnership with ITV, which helped 5.7 million people learn vital new digital skills required during lockdown.

Today BT is setting an ambitious new goal that extends the target to reach 25 million people by the end of March 2026 through its BT Skills for Tomorrow programme – helping to tackle the digital divide and supporting the UK’s economic recovery. In line with BT’s purpose to Connect for Good, the new ambition aims to help more people across the UK have the skills they need to stay connected and make the most of life in the digital world.

The digital divide, which has been accelerated by the pandemic, has significantly impacted people’s lives at home and work. Through its ambitious new target, BT is committed to continuing to help a variety of people including children and their parents, older and more vulnerable people, to job seekers and small businesses.

The programme is completely free and offers a wide range of courses, webinars and advice. Anyone can access the programme which aims to boost people’s confidence and understanding of digital tools and technology to make daily life better and help them realise their long-term ambitions.

Through BT Skills for Tomorrow, Florence Mabel Clough, 91, received support to use the internet for the first time this year, “I do get a little bit down sometimes. But just being able to talk to my family has helped a great deal. To be able to talk to and see them – it’s like a miracle to me.”

Older people, many of whom can be more isolated, often lack the skills, confidence or motivation to get online. With BT’s renewed commitment, more people like Maggie will be given the resources they need to get online.

BT has supported 278,000 small business owners and their employees learn new skills and its Small Business Support Scheme continues to help thousands of struggling small businesses boost connectivity, cash flow and confidence.

BT’s Stand Out Skills campaign helped over 468,000 jobseekers develop their confidence and skills to stand out in their job search. Through Work Ready BT has helped more than 3,000 young people who are not in employment, education or training prepare for the world of work.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact & Sustainability Officer, BT, said: “Connectivity is playing a role like never before; whether that’s allowing you to work from home, keeping your kids entertained or staying in touch with friends and loved ones. It’s amazing that millions of people have been inspired by BT Skills for Tomorrow and are embracing technology to get through this really challenging time.

“Through our digital skills initiative, we are committed to continuing to tackle these problems. That’s why we have set an ambitious new target to help people across the UK develop the skills they need to make the most of life in the digital world. At BT we want to lead the way in making sure technology helps people, ensuring we continue to build better digital lives.”

Notes to Editors

The methodology used to measure the number of people BT Skills for Tomorrow reached includes attendance numbers and video views for physical and virtual events, as well as online learning resources and video content. For advertising campaigns, BT carries out dedicated independent research on a national representative sample of people, to understand how many people’s digital knowledge or confidence was improved as a result of these campaigns.

Case study quotes:

Sally House, parent of eight-year-old Alice who used BT Skills for Tomorrow learning games: “Alice played Code Cracking, The Diamond, Barefoot Zoo and Sorting It Out. She enjoyed the games and I love that she’s practising maths skills in a fun and different way and not realising she’s actually doing maths!”

Elaine Townshend, Department for Work and Pensions on JobCentres Plus: “I would like to thank Work Ready for developing and delivering this bespoke webinar for the Department for Work and Pensions. A huge void was created during Covid-19 restrictions and our customers were missing out on mentoring and jobseeker skills. Over 850 claimants have now participated in 30 districts and the feedback continues to be really positive.”

Montana Japaul, Work Ready graduate and BT colleague: “The placement gives valuable skills to learn and take on, whatever job you go on to do. It helped me learn to stand out – you want to shine! It really boosted my confidence, I wasn’t scared to approach people, I just felt comfortable. I connected with lots of people and that led me to getting my current job at BT. Work Ready gave me confidence to try something new.”

New research from BT Skills for Tomorrow found almost a third of interviewers admit to not hiring someone based on something they have seen in a candidate’s video backdrop (28%), with a further 58% saying a messy room in the background could cost someone the job.

A poll of 500 recruitment decision-makers reveals modern day job interview faux pas, such as 20% of calls have been joined by the household pet. Other interviewees have been caught short, with 13% standing up mid-call to reveal they are dressed in joggers or underwear.

The research also polled 500 people who have taken part in a video job interview over the last 12 months. The pandemic has meant job seekers have had, on average, three virtual interviews during lockdown, with most interviews now conducted via video (56%). Remote interviews are likely to remain the new normal with 42% of interviewers wanting to continue this way after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

While unreliable audio (25%) was also among the most common issues, one in 10 also admitted to answering a phone call during the interview. Video backdrops are viewed by some as a representation of a candidate’s work ethic, as more than two thirds of interviewers (67%) believe that applicants did not put enough thought into their background when on a virtual call.

More than half (51%) of interviewees believe video interviews are harder than those done face-to-face, and 30% have deliberately placed an ‘object of interest’ in shot behind them, to use as a talking point.

With 4 in 10 job seekers unable to land a job from virtual interviews, people need some support to impress potential employers over video. A number of candidates are already being proactive, with a third carefully tailoring their backgrounds to create a more positive impression, including books, awards and house plants.

BT Skills for Tomorrow is offering free resources and advice to support job seekers across the UK prepare for a digital future. This includes an upcoming interactive webinar – ‘be a hit at interviews’ – on 19 April 2021, designed to help jobseekers improve their interview technique, whether that’s by phone, on a video call or in person in the future.

Hannah Cornick, Head of Digital Impact, Consumer said: “Video calls are going to remain part of the hiring process well into the future, and there is an opportunity for candidates to use this to their advantage.

“Being in control of your environment and in a familiar space can help reduce nerves and allow you to showcase your personality. While you can’t always plan for unexpected interruptions, there are things you can do when preparing for a video interview to ensure you come across professionally and set yourself up for success.

“This is the time to show the interviewer your strengths and how you stand out from the crowd, without any distractions from your surroundings.”

In January this year, BT Skills for Tomorrow also launched Stand Out Skills to help candidates get in the right mindset for the journey ahead, discover the skills that businesses are looking for and understand how to make their strengths stand out. This is part of BT’s Skills for Tomorrow commitment to help 10 million people make the most of life in the digital world.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The research was conducted by One Poll.com with 500 UK adults who’ve had a job interview via video call in the past 12 months and 500 UK employed adults responsible for hiring decision at their company between the dates of 18th to 24th March 2021.

With the UK in the midst of another national lockdown, a new study has revealed that an overwhelming majority of jobseekers have been negatively affected by their search for work over the past year, with four in five (81%) attributing a downturn in their mental wellbeing to their job search. The research, commissioned by BT to launch Stand Out Skills, also showed that the average jobseeker has unsuccessfully applied for 16 different roles over the past 12 months.

When asked how rejections and the job search had affected them specifically, 45% of jobseekers responded that they had experienced decreased motivation, whilst 38% highlighted lower self-esteem and morale and a further 44% a reduction in self-confidence.

BT’s research also highlighted how this lack of confidence persists throughout the various stages of the job search. Just 22% are confident that their CV and covering letter will stand out when compared to fellow candidates, while even fewer (21%) believe in their ability to impress and leave a lasting impression in an interview.

This has led to jobseekers hiding details of their job search from their closest friends and family, with 57% keeping job applications secret in case they are rejected and a further 49% being concerned about what family or friends will think of the rejection.

Added to the difficulties jobseekers already face, the research also went on to show that almost half (48%) admitted to struggling to find resources which could help them in their job search, including how to improve their CV and job interview technique.

As part of BT Skills for Tomorrow, which aims to help 10 million people in the UK make the most of life in the digital world, BT has launched Stand Out Skills. This initiative provides jobseekers of all ages with free and unmissable tips, resources and advice to support them in building their confidence and help them stand out in the job search. BT has teamed up with experts and celebrities including TV presenter Anita Rani, Comedian Iain Stirling and Drag Queen Divina De Campo to release free resources and advice across different stages of the job search – from where to start and showing your best self to standing out when applying and in interviews.

Hannah Cornick, Head of Digital Impact and Sustainability (Consumer), BT, said: “‘The global pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for the job market, and it’s only natural that jobseekers’ confidence will have been affected. BT remains more committed than ever to its Skills for Tomorrow programme, and to ensuring that people have the skills they need to flourish in an increasingly digital world. This is why we have launched Stand Out Skills, to help those looking for work build their confidence by providing them with the necessary tools and resources they need to get ahead of the competition and stand out in their job search.”

BT Skills for Tomorrow is designed to help everyone – from school children and teachers, parents and families, businesses and jobseekers, to those lacking basic digital skills. Working in partnership with a range of the UK’s leading digital skills, enterprise and community organisations, BT has created and collated some of the best advice, information and support, in one easy to navigate place.

More on BT Skills for Tomorrow and Stand Out Skills can be found here: https://www.bt.com/standoutskills

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

The research was commissioned by BT and carried out online by OnePoll. All surveys were conducted between 18^th December 2020 and 5^th January 2021. The sample comprised 2000 UK jobseekers aged 18+ (employed and unemployed). OnePoll are members of ESOMAR and employ members of the MRS

Ambassador Quotes

Comedian and Love Island narrator, Iain Stirling: “As a stand-up comedian I know it’s important to grab people’s attention right from the start, and the same goes for your job application. Having an employer sit up and take note of your CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile is the first step towards getting ahead of your competition. Words have the power to leave a lasting impact on an audience, so it’s important that you choose the right ones. That’s why I’m delighted to be involved in the BT Stand Out Skills campaign, to help people nail those job applications and present themselves in the best way on LinkedIn so that they can land their dream job.”

Presenter Anita Rani: “My career as a television presenter has taught me how important it is to convey your enthusiasm so that people want to listen to what you have to say. While an interview can be nerve-wracking, it’s about having the confidence and belief in yourself to embrace the process and stand out against the competition. I’m thrilled to be a part of the BT Stand Out Skills campaign, so I can share some of my best tips and tricks to help job seekers come across well in a job interview and knock the socks of their prospective employer, even if it is over a video call!”

Divina De Campo, RuPaul's Drag Race UK runner-up: “A job search can be just like a drag show: to wow those judges and put yourself ahead of the competition, you need to showcase your best self so that they see how fabulous you really are. Having been around the block a few times I can tell you that, unless you’re applying to be a spy, ‘blending in’ is a big no-no! That’s why I’m over the moon to be a part of BT’s Stand Out Skills campaign, which will give you everything you need to stand out from the crowd, like me, and shine in your job search from beginning to end.”

We’ve created it to ensure the people who need it most can access connectivity support across both our fixed and mobile networks. We're extending our partnership with the Department for Education so that eligible BT and EE customers will benefit from unlimited mobile data. Plus we’re giving thousands of free WiFi vouchers to schools and our charity partners to distribute so anyone can access the widest range of online educational resources via one of our five million WiFi Hotspots across the UK.

We’re also aiming to zero-rate some of the most popular dedicated online learning portals to ensure critical learning can continue even when data access runs out. We’ll confirm more on this in the coming week, but we know this will make a difference for those trying to connect to these sites with limited mobile data.

Eligible families without fixed connectivity at home can apply for their unlimited free data via their school or local authority, as part of BT’s partnership with the Department for Education. It will cover them for the rest of the academic year, running until July 2021. We’ve been working closely with the DfE since the start of the pandemic to help get kids connected, and we’re now stepping up our partnership to offer unlimited data, as well as working harder on getting free WiFi passes into the hands of those families and kids who need them. You can read more about our partnership with the DfE here. 

Here’s a summary of what BT’s Lockdown Learning Support Scheme will provide:

• Unlimited mobile data for EE and BT Mobile customers without a fixed connection in partnership with DfE

• Free WiFi vouchers for schools and charity partners to distribute to those who need it most, so that disadvantaged kids and those without a network connection can access home learning resources

• Zero-rating two of the most popular educational websites

It's a continuation of the work we have been doing since the first lockdown was introduced in March last year. We were the first telecoms operator to support families who needed help with connecting for home learning, making BT WiFi vouchers available to those who needed them in June. BT will now distribute WiFi vouchers directly to schools and charity partners, enabling those families and carers with little or no connection to access the five million BT WiFi Hotspots available across the UK. While it might not reach everyone, we feel even getting one more kid able to home school is worth the effort.

BT also offers a social tariff for low income families - BT Basic, a £10 per month fixed broadband and phone line service. With priority connection, this long-term solution offers low income families a sustainable option that meets their data needs.

Talking long-term, we want to give school children the digital skills they need for a brighter future with our Skills for Tomorrow programme. To that end, through our Barefoot Computing programme in partnership with Computing at School, BT has made a series of educational and fun activities available to support home learning. Designed with teachers and aligned to the national curriculum, these interactive learning games and simple offline activities introduce children aged 4-11 years to key computing concepts and problem-solving skills that will help them thrive in a digital world. To access the free resources visit www.barefootcomputing.org/homelearning

We don't want anyone to be left behind as digital connectivity becomes more and more important. Our Skills for Tomorrow portal is full of free courses to help anyone, any age, feel more confident and develop their digital skills. You can find out more here.

Marc Allera, CEO, BT’s Consumer brands

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @MarcAllera

With millions of young people on the move from school to work or enterprise of their choice, there is a marked need for easily accessible skill-based content that shares practical knowledge on what it’s like to start a career or become an entrepreneur. Map of Me, which is funded by BT, fills that void with their mobile youth channel and now, Map of Me TV.

Supporting Map of Me TV, over 50 BT volunteers signed up and submitted close to 40 home-made videos in Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali and Kannada. Their videos help young people become work-ready with topics like where and how to get work experience at no cost, how to self-teach and learn, why tech is a great sector for women, how to crack a job interview and importance of business networking. Over 20 of these videos made it to Map of Me TV on DD Chandana in Karnataka and remaining will go on air in Delhi-NCR and West Bengal soon.

Full episodes of Map of Me TV in Kannada are now available here.

Dorothy (14), Sonia (14) and Justine (14) created the ‘Dimming Dyslexia’ app to analyse online text and other educational resources, translating them into formats that are easier to understand for those with dyslexia. The app can present written text into videos, cartoons, alter font size and colours on the page, presenting more dyslexic-friendly formats.

This project has been inspired by the team witnessing how some pupils were perhaps struggling with some basic skills, such as reading and writing. Consequently, the team got together to find a way to help others improve their everyday skills, skills the team admit sometimes they take for granted.

Dimming Dyslexia’s innovative design and team ambition makes it a potentially game changing tool for the 1.3 million people in education with dyslexia[1]. As winners of this year’s BT Young Pioneer award, they will receive the support of BT experts who will work with the team to take this from prototype to a fully working app. In addition, they will receive £10,000 to fund the project so they can take it to the next level.

BT is also delighted to announce BT Young Pioneer Award finalist, Freddie from Usk, South Wales, has received an award for his ‘Fall Alert’ device: Highly Commended by BT.

This is the 10^th year BT has been lead sponsor for the Tech4Good Awards, and it’s been the most extraordinary, with a record breaking number of 400 entries. Young people from across the UK have proven that even in the face of a global pandemic, they are motivated to make a difference, using tech as a force for good to present their ideas and solutions to help make the world a better place.

Last year’s winner, Mihika Sharma, who invented the ‘Smart Stick’, has been working with BT and the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) for the past year to carry out market research within the visual impairment community. This research is helping support her plans to bring the ‘Smart Stick’ to market, helping those with visual impairments.

With the support of BT, young people like Mihika are working to bring their ideas and inventions to life.

Professor Kerensa Jennings, BT Group Director of Digital Impact, said: “The calibre of entries this year has been outstanding, with a record breaking number of individuals and teams submitting their ideas. We are absolutely thrilled to announce Dimming Dyslexia as this year’s winners as we recognise the positive impact this could have to help 1.3 million people in education. With the support of BT, we hope to help the Dimming Dyslexia team reach their goal in their ambition in supporting more people with dyslexia.”

“It’s so inspiring to see how young people are playing such a key role in helping to tackle societal challenges, working to improve the lives of so many.”

Dorothy from The Sacred Heart High School’s STEaM TEAM said: “I can’t believe we won! We’ve been working really hard to create a prototype for ‘Dimming Dyslexia’, so we’re very excited to start working with BT to take the development of the app to the next level. Our ambition is to get ‘Dimming Dyslexia’, onto the apps stores so that we can help as many people with dyslexia as possible.”

Justine from The Sacred Heart High School’s STEaM TEAM said: “The fact that we won still feels surreal! I’m glad that our team was able to express our desire to support those in need, and that our hard work over the past few months has paid off. I’m thrilled to see how our product will work in the future.”

Sonia from The Sacred Heart High School’s STEaM TEAM said: “We are thrilled to have won the award and I look forward to working with BT to make our app a reality.”

Rotna Roy, STEaM Lead, Sacred Heart High School, said: “Dorothy, Sonia and Justine deserve a huge congratulations for working so hard behind the scenes. If it wasn’t for their resilience, determination, growth mindset and enthusiasm I don’t think this project would be as successful as it is now. The time and effort the girls have dedicated to the ‘Dimming Dyslexia’ project has really shown their passion for STEM and has left me very impressed and proud.”

Freddie Howells, age fourteen, Fall Alert, said: “I think the Tech4Good awards are hugely inspiring, which is why I entered the BT Young Pioneer award for a second year. I would have loved to have won this year, but I think Dimming Dyslexia are really worthy winners. I'm really happy to have been awarded the Highly Commended title. This project means a lot to me because it was inspired by my great Aunt Pat who has dementia, and I wanted to help her and others with such a life changing illness.”

For further information on the award winners, please visit: https://www.tech4goodawards.com/about/

[1] Cited from the British Dyslexia Association

Focusing on the agriculture and tourism sectors in rural Wales, rapidly growing technology such as "internet of things" (IOT) – internet-connected devices – could help these areas thrive in future, according to the report.

But, the study, commissioned by BT, says that this will only happen if 'early adopters' and champions of the new technology are supported, and there is continued investment in the availability of high speed broadband and mobile in rural areas.

For agriculture, the report highlights how solutions such as sensors and devices connected to networks are already being trialled in Wales to show how farmers can remotely track and manage their stock, helping to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

The tourism and hospitality industry has also seen a revolution in the use of digital technology in recent years, with smartphones, mapping services and augmented reality apps transforming the way visitors engage with tourist locations. The report highlights the tourism businesses using new technologies to help them work smarter and adapt to rising consumer expectations.

Agriculture and tourism organisations and businesses highlighted in the report include:

• Fferm Glynllifon, Caernarfon (Grŵp Llandrillo Menai College): Using LoRaWAN wireless technology – a way of linking sensor devices and applications together over a network – they are using cutting-edge sensors to remotely monitor things such as fridge temperature where vaccines are stored, contact sensors monitoring gates and cattle grids, and a tracking device installed on a ram to monitor its movement and whereabouts.

• Town wi-fi and analytics, Aberteifi (Cardigan): Cardigan’s wi-fi scheme provides free web connectivity at strategic points throughout the town centre. Data from the wi-fi app measure visitor footfall, provide information on where visitors are from and how long they stay and whether measures like free parking make a difference to numbers.

• Dioni Holiday Cottages, Snowdonia: The company has adopted various cloud-based systems, allowing staff to work remotely from connected devices. They can access their online booking system, web design software and they have plans to develop an app that will allow tourists to plot a route through Wales that is tailored to their preferences.

Rhodri Owen, Manager of Glynllifon college farm near Caernarfon, one of the case studies highlighted in the report, said: “It’s one of the biggest opportunities we have to make farms more efficient, safer and healthier.

“The data generated from these sensors will allow farmers to make better decisions quicker. I really hope to see more farmers getting involved in developing high-value applications in the future, as the agri-tech scene is booming in many parts of the world at the moment.

“A surprising benefit is that technology has made work on the farm more interesting. We are now able to measure and monitor things that we never dreamt of being able to commercially 10 years ago.”

Nick Speed, BT Group’s director in Wales, said: “Connected, smart technology could offer real benefits to rural communities in future. It has the potential to help rural economies grow and encourage young people to stay in these areas.

“This technology is developing quickly and it's pleasing that a lot of the cutting edge rural solutions are being trialled and developed here in Wales. But there are clear challenges to the growth of this technology in rural sectors, including the initial investment needed by businesses and how quickly the gap between rural and urban broadband and mobile connectivity can be closed.

“What we heard from many in rural sectors is that ‘it’s not relevant to my business’ or ‘I just don’t have the time’. Or ‘what will be the return on our investment?’. One of the report’s clear recommendations is to work together to improve digital skills in rural sectors and to help champion those trailblazers already doing amazing things. At BT we’re continuing to invest in rural connectivity, but it’s equally vital to see wider investment in rural innovation and infrastructure.”

BT Group has committed to working with governments to help close the divide between rural and urban areas in terms of the adoption of superfast broadband and good mobile coverage. Earlier this year, it announced a £12 billion investment to enable Openreach to bring full fibre broadband to more than 20 million premises right across the UK, with a focus on rural areas, by the mid-to-late-2020s.

It has also launched new initiatives to help support small businesses (SMEs) – many of which operate in rural areas – and improve digital skill levels across the population.

Notes

• The report – Smart rural: The utilisation of digital infrastructure by the agriculture and tourism sector in rural Wales – was commissioned by BT and written by economic research company Wavehill. While the focus is on agriculture and tourism in rural Wales, the findings can be applied more broadly. Its focus is not digital connectivity itself in rural Wales, but the future ability of rural sectors to take advantage of innovations in connected digital technologies.

• The case studies are based on interviews undertaken in late 2019 and early 2020. It’s important to note that the interviews were all undertaken prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, which does not, therefore, feature in any of them.

• According to Ofcom's latest ‘Connected Nations’ report, which gives a breakdown of broadband speeds available across the UK, the vast majority of properties in Wales (97%) can now access decent broadband (defined by Ofcom as 10Mbit/s download and 1Mbit/s upload speed). The figure across the UK is 98%. Continued investment will be needed to connect the small number of homes and businesses, many of them in rural areas, still unable to get a decent broadband service.

• As part of the 2020 spring budget, the Chancellor confirmed the UK Government’s intention to invest £5bn to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband in the most difficult to reach 20% of the UK. BT also announced recently a £12 billion investment to enable Openreach to bring ‘full fibre’ (FTTP) to more than 20 million homes across the UK by the mid-to late 2020s. A significant proportion of this build will be in rural areas.

• In terms of mobile, coverage has improved significantly across the UK in recent years. EE, part of BT Group, runs the UK's biggest and fastest mobile network and, according to Ofcom, already covers 82% of rural geography across the UK, and 84% of the UK landmass. This is higher than any other network. The UK’s mobile companies have invested over £45 billion over the last 20 years in their networks. But, as Ofcom’s report highlights, coverage remains patchy in parts of the UK, including in rural Wales. However, rural mobile coverage is set to increase as a result of the new Shared Rural Network (SRN) announced last year. The shared £1bn investment will bring combined 4G coverage to 95% of the whole of the UK by the end of 2025.

Digital skills

BT Skills for Tomorrow is helping 10 million people in the UK make the most of life in the digital world. It is designed to help everyone – from school children and teachers, parents and families, businesses and jobseekers, to older and more vulnerable people. Working in partnership with a range of the UK’s leading digital skills, enterprise and community organisations, BT have created and collated some of the best advice, information and support, in one easy to navigate place.

Gallai technoleg glyfar helpu i drawsnewid cymuned gwledig

Mae gan dechnoleg newydd clyfar, cysylltiedig y potensial i drawsnewid cymunedau gwledig, yn ôl adroddiad newydd a gyhoeddwyd heddiw.

Mae’r adroddiad, sy’n canolbwyntio ar sectorau amaeth a thwristiaeth yng nghefn gwlad Cymru, yn dweud y gall y twf mewn technoleg “rhyngrwyd y pethau” (IoT) – dyfeisiau clyfar sy’n cysylltu â'r rhyngrwyd – helpu’r ardaloedd hyn i ffynnu yn y dyfodol.

Ond, mae’r astudiaeth, a gomisiynwyd gan BT, yn rhybuddio na fydd hyn yn digwydd oni bai bod arloeswyr a 'mabwysiadwyr cynnar' y dechnoleg newydd yn cael eu cefnogi, a bod buddsoddiad parhaus yn argaeledd band eang cyflym a rhwydweithiau ffonau symudol mewn ardaloedd gwledig.

O ran amaethyddiaeth, mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at sut mae datrysiadau fel sensoryddion a dyfeisiau sy'n gysylltiedig â rhwydweithiau, eisoes yn cael eu treialu yng Nghymru i ddangos sut y gall ffermwyr olrhain a rheoli eu stoc o bell, gan helpu i leihau costau a chynyddu effeithlonrwydd.

Mae'r diwydiant twristiaeth hefyd wedi gweld chwyldro yn y defnydd o dechnoleg ddigidol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, gyda ffonau clyfar, gwasanaethau mapio ac apiau realiti estynedig (Augmented Reality) yn trawsnewid y ffordd y mae ymwelwyr yn ymgysylltu â lleoliadau twristiaeth. Mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at fusnesau twristiaeth yng Nghymru sy'n defnyddio technolegau newydd i'w helpu i weithio'n fwy clyfar ac addasu i ddisgwyliadau cynyddol ymwelwyr.

Mae enghreifftiau o'r sectorau amaethyddol a thwristiaeth yn cynnwys:

• Fferm Glynllifon, Caernarfon (Grŵp Llandrillo Menai): Gan ddefnyddio technoleg ddi-wifr LoRaWAN – ffordd o gysylltu dyfeisiau a sensoryddion gyda'i gilydd dros rwydwaith – maent yn defnyddio y sensoryddion diweddara i fonitro pethau fel tymheredd oergell lle mae brechlynnau'n cael eu storio, sensoryddion cyswllt sy’n monitro gatiau a gridiau gwartheg, a dyfais olrhain wedi ei osod ar hwrdd i fonitro ei symudiad a’i leoliad.

• Ap Wi-fi tref clyfar, Aberteifi: Mae cynllun wi-fi Aberteifi yn darparu cysylltedd gwe am ddim mewn mannau strategol drwy ganol y dref. Mae data o'r ap wi-fi yn mesur nifer yr ymwelwyr, yn darparu gwybodaeth ar ble mae gwylwyr ac am ba hyd y maent yn aros ac os yw mesurau fel parcio am ddim yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i niferoedd yr ymwelwyr.

• Bythynnod Gwyliau Dioni, Eryri: Mae'r cwmni wedi mabwysiadu amryw o systemau ‘cwmwl’, sy’n caniatáu i staff weithio o bell drwy amryw ddyfeisiau cysylltiedig. Gall pob aelod o staff gysylltu a’u system archebu ar-lein, eu meddalwedd dylunio gwe ac mae ganddynt gynlluniau i ddatblygu ap a fydd yn caniatáu i dwristiaid blotio llwybr trwy Gymru sydd wedi'i deilwra i bob ymwelydd.

Dywedodd Rhodri Owen, Rheolwr fferm coleg Glynllifon ger Caernarfon, un o’r enghrieffitau yn yr adroddiad: “Dyma un o’r cyfleoedd mwyaf sydd gennym i wneud ffermydd yn fwy effeithlon, yn fwy diogel ac yn fwy iach.

“Bydd y data a gynhyrchir o’r sensoryddion yma yn galluogi ffermwyr i wneud penderfyniadau gwell yn gynt. Dw i’n mawr obeithio gweld mwy o ffermwyr yn cymryd rhan yn y gwaith o ddatblygu rhaglenni gwerthfawr yn y dyfodol, gan fod y maes technoleg amaethyddol yn ffynnu mewn sawlrhan o’r byd ar hyn o bryd.

“Un o’r buddion annisgwyl yw bod y dechnoleg yma wedi gwneud gwaith ar y fferm yn fwy diddorol. Rydym ni bellach yn gallu mesur a monitro pethau na fyddem erioed wedi dychmygu gallu ei wneud yn fasnachol 10 mlynedd yn ôl.”

Dywedodd Nick Speed, cyfarwyddwr BT Group yng Nghymru: “Gallai technoleg clyfar cysylltiedig gynnig buddion gwirioneddol i gymunedau gwledig yn y dyfodol. Mae ganddo'r potensial i helpu economïau gwledig i dyfu ac annog pobl ifanc i aros yn yr ardaloedd hyn.

“Mae'r dechnoleg hon yn datblygu'n gyflym ac mae'n braf bod llawer o'r rhagleni blaengar gwledig yn cael eu treialu a'u datblygu yma yng Nghymru. Ond mae heriau amlwg i dwf y dechnoleg hon mewn sectorau gwledig, gan gynnwys y buddsoddiad cychwynnol sydd ei angen ar fusnesau a pha mor gyflym y gellir cau'r bwlch rhwng band eang a chysylltedd symudol gwledig a threfol.

“Yr hyn a glywsom gan lawer mewn sectorau gwledig yw nad ydi’r dechnoleg yn berthnasol iddyn nhw neu ‘does gen i ddim yr amser ’. Neu sut y byddant yn elwa o'u buddsoddiad. Un o argymhellion clir yr adroddiad yw cydweithio i wella sgiliau digidol mewn sectorau gwledig ac i helpu i hyrwyddo'r arloeswyr hynny sydd eisoes yn gwneud pethau anhygoel. Yn BT, rydym yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn cysylltedd gwledig, ond mae'r un mor hanfodol gweld buddsoddiad ehangach mewn arloesi a seilwaith gwledig. ”

Mae BT Group wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda llywodraethau i helpu i gau'r bwlch rhwng ardaloedd gwledig a threfol o ran mabwysiadu band eang cyflym iawn a chysylltedd symudol da. Yn gynharach eleni, cyhoeddodd BT Group fuddsoddiad o £ 12 biliwn i alluogi Openreach i ddod â band eang ffibr llawn i fwy nag 20 miliwn o adeiladau ledled y DU, gan ganolbwyntio ar ardaloedd gwledig, erbyn canol i ddiwedd y 2020au.

Mae hefyd wedi lansio mentrau newydd i helpu i gefnogi busnesau bach (SMEs) a gwella lefelau sgiliau digidol ar draws y boblogaeth.

Nodiadau

Comisiynwyd yr adroddiad – Ardaloedd gwledig clyfar: Defnydd o seilwaith digidol gan y sectorau amaeth a thwristiaeth yng Nghymru wledig – gan BT a'i ysgrifennu gan y cwmni ymchwil economaidd Wavehill. Er bod y ffocws ar amaethyddiaeth a thwristiaeth yng nghefn gwlad Cymru, gellir defnyddio'r canfyddiadau yn ehangach. Nid cysylltedd digidol ei hun yng nghefn gwlad Cymru yw ei ffocws, ond gallu sectorau gwledig yn y dyfodol i fanteisio ar ddatblygiadau mewn technolegau digidol cysylltiedig.

Lots of businesses are under all sorts of pressure. That means, particularly for young people, it's going to be more important than ever to develop the skills they need to be successful in getting their first job or progressing in the job they're in. Whether it’s a role at BT or any other company, we want to help young people develop those skills.

BT’s Work Ready training scheme has already helped thousands of young people kickstart their careers, providing opportunities for young people who aren't in employment, education or training and preparing them for the world of work. Our Work Ready two-week programme gives young people the experience, knowledge and digital skills they need to take their first steps to a career in the digital world.

A placement is not a practical step for any of us to take at the moment – although we are running Work Ready webinars (which you can find on the link below). As an extension of those webinars, earlier this week we live streamed our Work Ready event from the BT Sport studio, with advice on finding a job, taking charge of your career path, and staying motivated in challenging times from Maya Jama, Chelcee Grimes, Spencer Owen, BT Sport’s Andrew Mensah and the CEO of The Youth Group, Jack Parsons.

They were all eager to share their life experience. Spencer asked me how it was for me when I was starting out. Like many young people might be finding now, I had a few weeks and months where it was a tough time economically. We didn't have emails – we had to send letters to apply for positions. It could often be a long wait to get to the next stage. But in each interview I had, I found a way of saying: 'I may not have this experience, but I can bring you this.'

You can take something from everyone – no one person has all the answers. And, if you're interested, willing to learn and give it a go, you'll find you are given the opportunities you are looking for. Technology is evolving rapidly, with new platforms changing the way we live, work and connect. So you can never say you know everything. It doesn't matter if you're a CEO or if you have just joined the company – you can always be learning!

The most important investment you can make is in yourself. Develop your skills, your knowledge to give yourself an advantage. That's more important than ever. Invest a few minutes every day. An hour or more, if you have it. With the right skills, attitude and mindset, you can be successful.

As an employer, one of the most important things I look for is passion. You want to work with people who care about the business you're in. I also look for different perspectives; people who can bring different ideas and give you the overall picture from diverse backgrounds. Business is about solving problems. We face different challenges, big and small, every day. So I look for people who can think around problems, and people with resilience who are not going to give up at the first hurdle.

Particular talents and aptitudes are important – and you can train for those, often on the job. But so are so-called ‘soft skills’:

Communication: it's a really important thing in business. Being able to convey ideas, or challenges you might be facing.

Collaboration: working with a team, be open to new ideas, being able to work well with others is an important foundation skill.

Learning: that curiosity and willingness to learn. Be proactive about your own development.

Enthusiasm: it can be infectious – people who care about the workplace and the world around them.

Positive energy is one of the things employers are looking for when they ask the classic question: 'Tell me about a time you've dealt with a challenging situation.'

That's about problem-solving, creative thinking and an approach to tackling tasks differently to make things better. Things don't always go well. Resilience is like a muscle – the older you get, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Being able to bounce back when things haven't gone as planned is so important.

These are skills that can be transferred – you'll need them in any job as you move companies, teams and departments. And, if you become someone who other people want to pass knowledge onto, you’ll find you can progress further and faster. As an employer, you don't want to do that with people who don't care. So encourage other people to give you those skills and opportunities when they do come around – whether that ends up being at BT, or anywhere else.

At BT, we connect for good. We're on a mission to help not just young people up and down the UK, but our customers, communities and businesses overcome barriers and release their potential. Work Ready is just one part of our Skills for Tomorrow ambition: by 2025, we’re aiming to help 10m people in the UK develop the skills they need to make the most of life in the digital world.

You can watch our Work Ready Live Event on YouTube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2jPZ06zqhE

And find out more about our Work Ready programme and BT’s Skills for Tomorrow, with free courses to develop your digital skills, here: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @marcallera

BT Group has seen a significant rise in demand on both our fixed and mobile networks, as people stayed at home during the lockdown and millions of people migrated towards working from home. To give some context, in the last week of April alone, BT’s core network transmitted 103.3 Petabytes of data in a single day - the largest total since our records began. When you consider that one Petabyte is the equivalent of 13 years of HD video, you’ll really appreciate how much data we’ve all been consuming.

Our networks have stood up well to this challenge and have been extremely resilient, but the predicament we all find ourselves in has prompted questions about what the ‘new normal’ might look like when we emerge from this pandemic.

As part of the longer-term economic recovery it’s important that we collectively engage to explore how digital technologies and innovation can help, both in terms of the actions we need to put in place now, plus the steps we need to take to maximise the potential of technology and deliver a more resilient, green, thriving economy fit for the future.

A recent survey by BT Skills for Tomorrow and Small Business Britain found that more businesses are increasingly moving services online for survival. Two fifths (42 per cent) of small businesses have moved online due to the pandemic; and over a third (39 per cent) now view digital skills and tools as a key focus area.

Over a third (39 per cent) of small businesses have drastically cut operational costs, with the need for physical offices and other traditional ways of working now increasingly being re-thought.

Looking to the future, 37 per cent are planning for less face to face contact and around a quarter expect working from home to continue.

Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on businesses, society and economy and is likely to significantly accelerate the shift to digital and the pace of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. From virtual meetings to automated factories, online orders to drone delivery, digital services are growing in importance, permeating an increasing number of sectors and activities.

Digitally agile firms are adapting to the ongoing crisis more successfully, and others are rapidly upskilling in response to challenges to their business models.

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly seen many businesses change their business models to adapt to the current situation, which could have a beneficial impact on recovery. However, this will not be the case for all and it’s vital that government continues to support and deliver policies to support digital transformation and skills by SMEs.

Even before the pandemic the UK was facing an alarming digital skills gap, which has only been exacerbated by this crisis. Millions of people and a significant number of businesses lack the essential digital skills they need, which risks widening social divides and already has an estimated £63bn annual impact on the UK’s competitiveness.

Through our Skills for Tomorrow programme we will help 10m people, families and businesses across the UK get the skills they need by 2025. But the task ahead is significant and will require intervention from multiple sectors, organisations and institutions to ensure the skills gap is bridged.

The Covid-19 pandemic will have an accelerating impact on the widespread adoption of digital technologies including IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and full fibre broadband. Left unchecked, this has the potential to further widen socio-economic inequality, with those underequipped to exploit the new technology being placed at a disadvantage, particularly within the world of work and in accessing public services.

AI technologies will represent the biggest shake-up in a lifetime to the labour market. This will present two high-level priorities for business and policymakers: retraining for people in jobs which will be displaced; and education and skills development for the jobs of the future.

The key challenge is how we can work together through and beyond the Covid-19 crisis to create a more productive economy, tackle climate change and build a healthy and more equal society.

Through initiatives such as Skills for Tomorrow, and by working with others, we are committed to helping everyone navigate through this to build a better digital future - one where collaboration and innovation can provide the solutions to the challenges we face, and in doing so, ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transformation to a digital society.

For more information about BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme click here 

With schools unable to host a Sports Day this year, BT is giving children across the UK the chance to race at a virtual sports event, including the opportunity to win brand new tech equipment for their schools.

Through BT Skills for Tomorrow, BT is helping 5 million children across the UK make the most of life in the digital world. As part of this, BT has created Digital Dash: an exciting new game designed for 7-10-year-olds.

Digital Dash invites children to use digital skills to create an avatar and train it to become the best 100m sprinter in the country. A digital leaderboard will showcase the nation’s progress in the run-up to an exciting live event on 23^rd July, which will bring together six finalists from across the UK and will be hosted by Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes and broadcaster, writer and director Reggie Yates.

After creating and personalising their very own avatar - for which they can choose everything from skin tone to hairstyle and outfits - players will get straight to work to get their athletes race day ready. Focusing on both the mind and body, training includes building strength, agility and stamina, while boosting their own digital skills through a series of mini-games. From using logical reasoning to spot their athlete’s missing shoe, to learning algorithms by herding sheep in their athlete’s sleep, Digital Dash uses educational elements to help children develop the key problem-solving skills they require for the future.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT's Consumer division said: “With kids across the UK missing out on a proper Sports Day this year, keeping young minds curious and active has never been more important. We know that families are turning to technology more than ever during lockdown, and so Digital Dash has been created to help keep children entertained and educated, inspired to get active themselves, and give parents peace of mind that their children are interacting with technology safely and productively.

“We’re on a mission to ensure that people of all ages have access to digital skills that help them flourish. We hope that Digital Dash will be a fun place for children to keep learning and entertained during lockdown, alongside helping to get them fit for a digital future.”

To play Digital Dash, simply head to the BT Skills for Tomorrow website. Children can opt in to have the chance of competing in the live event, should they top the leaderboard, when downloading the app.

A group of young people in London have learned vital digital skills and had coaching to help them land jobs, as part of a BT scheme that has already helped more than 3,200 unemployed young adults.

A celebration event was held on Friday, 28 January, at the BT Tower in Fitzrovia, to mark the graduation of 40 people who took part in a 10-day BT Work Ready Programme.

Theo Blackwell, London’s chief digital officer, attended to present certificates to the graduates. The participants, all aged between 18 and 24, have received training and work experience with the technology firm to help them in their future careers.

BT’s Work Ready programme, in partnership with charity Movement to Work (MtW), is helping thousands of young people not in education, employment or training across the UK. The programme equips them with vital skills and work experience for a career in an increasingly digital world.

Kerensa Jennings, BT’s Digital Impact Director, said: “Our Work Ready programme is designed to boost young peoples’ opportunities by inspiring them into a career in the digital workforce. We are helping them develop employability and digital skills and providing access to work experience. The programme helps young people acquire the hard and soft skills needed by employers and provides support to get into work through coaching and job networking opportunities.

“The programme is well established with over 3,200 young people graduating since 2014. More than 56% of those completing the course have gone on to get a job, an apprenticeship or moved into further education.”

Work Ready programme graduate Maisy Osbon, 24, from Dartford, said she was grateful for the experience: “It has helped me hone skills I didn’t know I had like business and technical skills. I’ve had coaching to dramatically improve my CV and it’s given me a lot more confidence."

London’s Chief Digital Officer, Theo Blackwell, said: “Improving people’s digital skills boosts their employability and social inclusion. The Mayor and I are committed to building a more inclusive economy – and schemes such as his £7 million Digital Talent Programme is helping tackle digital skills gaps and address the under-representation of women and Londoners of black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. BT’s Work Ready scheme is a great example of how we can create more opportunities for everyone to thrive in the digital economy.”

Youth unemployment remains a persistent and stubborn challenge in the UK. The national youth unemployment rate was 11.13 per cent in September - November 2019, compared with 3.8% for the whole population.

The Work Ready programme is part of BT Skills for Tomorrow – a new digital skills initiative to help 10 million people, families and businesses across the UK get the skills they need by 2025. For more information see here

A celebration event was held yesterday (25 September) at BT Sport Production Hub in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to mark the graduation of 45 people who took part in an 11-day BT Work Ready Programme.

Labour peer, Lord Tony Young attended to present certificates to the graduates. The participants, all aged between 18 and 24, have received training and work experience with the telecoms firm to help them in their future careers.

BT’s Work Ready programme, in partnership with charity Movement to Work (MtW), is helping thousands of young people not in education, employment or training across the UK. The programme equips them with vital skills and work experience for a career in an increasingly digital world.

Fabian Douglas, 21, from Bromley, said he had struggled to find a job since 2017 but was feeling more optimistic after taking part in the programme.

“The BT Work Ready programme has been great and I already feel so much more confident. I’ve gained tips on how to create a great CV, learned how to cope with the pressure of a job interview and developed lots of new skills which I’ve now updated on my LinkedIN profile. Being unemployed over the past couple years has been difficult, but this opportunity at BT has given me a clearer understanding of what I want to do.

“The work experience placement was brilliant and I’m really grateful to the BT staff who helped me get a taste of what it’s like working in a digital role for the company. It’s also opened my eyes to the opportunities available.”

Mat Sears, corporate affairs director for BT’s Consumer division, who presented certificates alongside Lord Young at the event, said: “I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all these young people who have taken the first steps towards their future careers.

“Nothing can imitate a real working environment so that is exactly what this programme sets out to achieve. The workplace is changing and nearly all jobs in the future will require at least an element of digital skills, so it’s vital that we equip the next generation with the tools and knowledge they need to be able to thrive.”

The work placements are part of a national pilot of the Government-led Transition to Work project which aims to support unemployed young people into work.

Youth unemployment remains a challenge in the UK. The national youth unemployment rate was 11.4% in May-July 2019*, compared with 3.8% for the whole population**. In London, 13.3% (121,000) of young people aged 16-24 are currently Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) according to latest figures***.

Since BT launched its Work Ready programme in 2014, around 3,000 young people have graduated from the scheme. More people took part than ever before during 2018 with 982 starting the programme and 77% of those completing it.

The Movement to Work charity focusses mainly on young people who are NEET. More than 50% of those who have completed a placement have gone into employment or back into education.

James Ashall, Movement to Work chief executive, said: “Congratulations to all the young people who have graduated from the BT Work Ready programme and we wish them all the best in their future careers.

“Brilliant employability programmes help businesses build a workforce that represent the communities in which they operate. This ultimately drives diversity, promotes social mobility and, crucially, supports individuals to fulfill their potential.”

Notes to editors

* Source: Parliament UK Research Briefing, September 2019 https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN05871

** Source: ONS Labour Market Overview, UK: September 2019 https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/september2019

*** Source: NEET Statistics Annual Brief 2018

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/neet-statistics-annual-brief-2018

Four winners have been selected across a number of categories which recognise entries from primary schools, secondary schools, special educational needs (SEN) schools and after school clubs. Each school was asked to submit a short video to demonstrate how they would spend the funding to benefit their pupils.

The winner of the primary school category is Euxton Primrose Hill primary school, based in Chorley, Lancashire, who plan to use the money to invest in equipping an entire class with virtual reality headsets to enhance learning experiences for their pupils.

Gareth Caunce, head teacher at Euxton Primrose Hill, said: “We really could not be more thrilled. As a result of their efforts, all the children at Primrose Hill will now have the opportunity to utilise virtual reality to enhance our curriculum.”

Moor Hey Special Needs School in Preston, Lancashire, impressed the judges to scoop the prize in the secondary school category. The school will be using its prize money to purchase laptops, iPads and virtual reality equipment, to enhance the learning experience of pupils with a range of special educational needs.

Debbie Townsend, English subject leader at Moor Hey Special Needs School, commented: “The laptops will be a very welcomed resource for our school and will help enhance learning across all key stages. Our pupils are very proud of this achievement and it has taught them the valuable lesson that 'you have to be in it to win it' and having special needs does not mean that you can't achieve great things in life."

Meanwhile, the winner of the special educational needs (SEN) category, Frewen College, plan to use their winning funds to update their equipment, assisting their pupils with special educational needs.

Sally Welch, head of Frewen Prep School, said: “Assistive Technology - dyslexia-friendly software - has made such a difference to our dyslexic students. For example, one of our pupils can now dictate his stories so he is able to really enjoy story writing.” Sally continued, “We will be spending the prize money on more IT, including upgrading our existing computers so we can maximise the effectiveness of Assistive Technology.”

Finally, the winner of the after school club category, North Tyneside Trust’s Little DigiLadies club, based in North Shields, will be using the funding to help to develop girls’ technology skills.

Laura Dickinson, eLearning lead practitioner at North Tyneside Trust, commented: “Our Little DigiLadies were so excited to receive their DigiLadies Kit Box, full of robotic equipment that can be used to run after school coding clubs. The kit boxes are allowing the girls to work collaboratively across schools on coding projects to raise standards, inspiring them to have careers in technology."

Helen Slinger, director of BT Business Direct, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners, who really impressed the judging panel with some brilliant examples of how schools can utilise technology to enhance learning for pupils. At BT we are excited to support an initiative that provides technology funding for a future generation. Investment in IT equipment for schools will enable pupils to develop their digital skills early on, better preparing them for an increasingly digital world.”

This competition forms part of BT’s long term commitment to boost digital skills in the UK. The BT-sponsored Barefoot computing programme, now in its fifth year, has delivered free classroom-ready teaching resources to over 70,000 teachers across 60% of the UK’s primary schools. By helping pupils develop basic computing skills, teachers are preparing them for today’s digital world and their future careers.

For more information and to view the winning school pitch videos, as well as the runners up you can visit the BT Business Direct website: https://www.businessdirect.bt.com/promotions-and-press-releases/latest-news/tech-factor/

Look out for more details about Tech Factor 2019 coming soon at: www.businessdirect.bt.com

BT is a strategic partner and will contribute significantly over the next four years, putting the Barefoot teaching resources for primary age children at the heart of the NCCE’s offer for primary school teachers. The BT-funded and managed Barefoot computing programme delivers free classroom-ready teaching resources for primary schools, in line with the national curriculum. BT will also be creating a new network of Barefoot Ambassadors and sponsoring teacher bursaries to enable Barefoot teachers to access NCCE training.

As part of their ambition to ensure no child is left behind Rolls-Royce will sponsor bursaries for schools to enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities on offer through the NCCE. This will complement their extensive existing school engagement programme delivered through STEM Learning’s Project ENTHUSE.

Arm will also sponsor bursaries enabling teachers in areas where pupils make the least progress and have the poorest access to high-quality schools, to access Continuing Professional Development through the NCCE. Furthermore, the Arm School Program is working with its partners – including the NCCE and Computing at School – to develop quality, free-to-access teaching and learning resources.

This investment will particularly help increase the number of pupils in schools and colleges studying computer science at GCSE, AS and A level, particularly girls and those in disadvantaged areas.

Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of STEM Learning, on behalf of the NCCE said, “Having the support of industry is vital to the overall success of the NCCE, and so we are delighted to be able to announce our first round of sponsors. Businesses are very aware that the young people benefitting from this investment will be their workforce of tomorrow. High quality, knowledgeable teaching of computing is the cornerstone of achieving this.”

Philip Jansen, BT’s Group Chief Executive, said “A dynamic economy requires a tech literate society, where young people don’t just consume technology, but really know how it works. Our children need the skills to become the problem solvers and digital innovators of the future. The NCCE is a critical step towards this and I’m delighted BT will be its first strategic partner, bringing our work in primary schools through Barefoot Computing to even more teachers and their pupils.”

Paul Broadhead, Head of Community Investment & Education Outreach, Rolls-Royce said “Through our existing work with Project ENTHUSE we know that high quality continuous professional development for teachers makes a real, positive difference for young people and so we are thrilled to be helping amazing teachers to enthuse their students about ours and their digital futures.”

“Arm is committed to working with partners such as the NCCE to close the skills gap and engage the next generation in STEM disciplines such as computing,” said Graham Budd, President and Chief Operating Officer, Arm. “The NCCE will play a vital role in encouraging more students from all backgrounds to expand their experience of computing inside and outside of school. Additionally, our Arm School Program will support the NCCE on a variety of key initiatives over the coming years.”

You can find out more information about the National Centre for Computing Education and sign up to hear more by visiting the home page

Organisations wanting to get involved with the work of the National Centre for Computing Education can visit the employers page

Notes to editors:

• The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) was established in November 2018 with £84 million of Government funding and was supported by a further £1 million from Google to develop training for secondary school computing teachers.
• The government’s decision to substantially invest in computer science in schools followed a Royal Society report, After the Reboot, which showed computing education across the UK was patchy and fragile. It called for action to be taken in a swift and coordinated way by government, industry, and non-profit organisations.
• The NCCE aims to increase the number of pupils in schools and colleges who study computer science at GCSE, AS and A level, particularly girls and in disadvantaged areas, and ensure that there is a strong pipeline of digital skills.
• The NCCE is funded by the Department for Education and is being delivered by a consortium of STEM Learning, Raspberry Pi Foundation and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
• STEM Learning is the UK’s largest provider of education and careers support in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It has a mission to improve lives through world-leading STEM education. For more information, visit www.stem.org.uk
• The Raspberry Pi Foundation creates world class educational resources for computing and computer science used by millions of people each year, and has developed online courses that have supported tens of thousands of computing educators. For more information, visit www.raspberrypi.org
• BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the professional body for computing and, as part of its Royal Charter, sets and maintains academic and professional standards in computing. For more information, visit www.bcs.org
• Interview opportunities are available.