Member Article

Teesdale web agency’s response to rural digital skills shortage

A Teesdale web development and SEO outfit have developed an innovative response to the challenges of employing digitally skilled people in a rural area.

Barnard Castle-based Zine have launched their ‘Digital Futures’ campaign - designed to attract people from all walks of rural life to a career in the digital sector.

The firm, which has grown from nine employees to over 30, has faced challenges in recruiting skilled staff in their locality, and in response has asked Teesdale people who are interested in upskilling to show their interest via an online portal.

The Digital Futures Skills Development campaign, endorsed by GlaxoSmithKline, aims to create jobs and apprenticeships for applicants who show enthusiasm and raw talent.

Roles span programming, web design, front-end web development, search marketing, digital marketing, account management, PPC and Google Adwords and Google Analytics, will all be covered as part of the campaign.

Alan Bradley, Zine managing director explains: “Over the last 12 months a 600% growth in user traffic to websites from mobile devices has been recorded. But we don’t need statistics to know mobile use is exploding, just look around and see how often people are staring at the small screen in their hand.

“Mobile First is our mantra, and interface design for ‘one hand, one thumb’ is here to stay.

“We are experts in this space, and would like to encourage you to think about how you can become fluent in digital.

“Our clients, including British Gas and HM Government, look to us for digital advice and development. We have this knowledge in-house, and within our network, and are keen to share this to help develop an extended team of local people with whom we can work.”

Zine have already created five successful digital apprenticeships across project management, business administration, marketing, sales and web development.

Alan added: “As we continue to expand our operations and brand, we aim to keep the head office of our now international business Zine firmly based in Teesdale.

“We also have offices in Sunderland Software City and at Google Campus in London. From Barnard Castle we service 52 regional offices across the UK, and our first International operation is opening next month in Dubai.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .