Digital Passport is a scheme aimed at Black Country businesses to help them adapt to the online world.
If you are small or medium sized enterprise (SME), then you are eligible for this scheme. An SME is categorised as a business with less than 250 people, been operating for more than one year, and has a turnover of less than €50 million.
The project will conduct a digital skills assessment to identify the key issues facing your business. Following this they can offer advice regarding web design, social media management and e-commerce, as well as cyber crime and cyber security enhancements. As the Black Country is looking to be a leader in the digital landscape of the UK in the next few years it will be vital to keep your business up to date, and using services to help you stay ahead of the curve could be the way to do this.
The Digital Passport project offers a minimum of 12 hours of specialist support drawn from; access to free targeted workshops and events, 1 to 1 advice, digital review outcomes leading to a comprehensive research driven Advisory Report. Also, the project will offer broadband connection vouchers to enable the take-up of superfast broadband by supporting up to 50% of the cost (to a maximum grant value of £1000). On top of all of this the project will offer the opportunity to take on a placement to help support the implementation of any new products or services identified through the project by supporting up to 50% of the cost (to a maximum grant value of £1475).
Changes are coming to the Black Country regarding the use of digital technologies both in business and social life, so whether you sign up for Digital Passport or not, make sure you are prepared for the near future reshaping of the digital landscape.