Digital marketing academy receives £500k funding to close digital skills gap in Manchester

Thousands of people in Greater Manchester are set to be trained in digital marketing skills and fast-tracked into job roles through the launch of a new training programme.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded Fearless Adventures’ academy scheme £499,928 as part of the Skills Bootcamps programme. The funding has been provided by the Department of Education’s National Skills Fund.

The Fearless Academy will deliver free industry-led digital marketing training to help individuals over the age of 19 gain “vital” digital skills. Alongside this, the academy’s talent team will support learners upon completion of the 12-week Skills Bootcamp, leveraging their founder network and providing accessible routes into employment.

The industry-led curriculum will be delivered by digital marketing experts from the parent brand Fearless Adventures. Its tutors will be sharing their knowledge and expertise across a plethora of digital specialisms, including Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC), social media, graphic design, and web development.

The tutors are all said to be “experienced professionals that have supported a diverse range of high-growth global brands”, including The Hut Group, Co-op, Unilever, Aldi, Logitech and Superdry.

This programme is part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs initiatives, designed to help people onto the career ladder, transition back into work or access progression opportunities while also helping employers meet skills needs.

Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.

Dominic McGregor, The Fearless Academy co-founder, said: “The Fearless Academy is creating something entirely bespoke for every individual - from specialist training to the job they will secure.

“We have an array of relationships within the industry, so we’re constantly getting feedback on the missing expertise and developing passionate individuals to fill this very real digital skills gap.”

Managing director Rachel McDonald added: “The Fearless Academy will change the lives of many. We’re excited to upskill and introduce ambitious talent to an industry full of amazing career opportunities. If we can do this while supporting a sector integral to business growth across Greater Manchester, we will have achieved our vision.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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