DigitalBoost, the digital support programme for Scotland’s SMEs, has been shortlisted for two national ICT awards at the Holyrood Connect Awards.
The ‘Connect ICT Team Award’ recognises outstanding performance and support that improves operational efficiency and drives innovation and change, while the ‘Connect Rising Star’ category recognises the outstanding efforts and achievements of outstanding individuals in the public sector IT industry.
Since its launch in January 2016, the DigitalBoost programme – which uses services and tools to support Scotland’s SME community to get the very best out of their websites, social media and eCommerce – has developed into a nationwide programme that has seen over 12000 people attend workshops, more than 5000 businesses take digital health-checks and almost 4000 online tutorials viewed.
Business Gateway Marketing Manager, Jacqueline MacDougall, has been recognised in the ‘Connect Rising Star’ category for her work in developing new digital tools, developing marketing campaigns and providing support to all of Scotland’s Local Authorities to help them deliver DigitalBoost to their own business communities. She has also been instrumental in helping the Icelandic government adopt the DigitalBoost programme.
DigitalBoost is delivered by Scotland’s local authorities through Business Gateway on behalf of Digital Scotland.
COSLA President, Cllr Alison Evison, said: “The DigitalBoost programme has played a key role over the past two years in helping thousands of businesses across Scotland learn the digital skills that will allow them to identify and convert new commercial opportunities. Delivering a programme of this scale and complexity is extremely challenging and I am delighted that the work of the DigitalBoost team has been recognised in this way.”
Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at the Business Gateway National Unit, said: “Business Gateway works very hard providing support and advice to Scotland’s SMEs and the delivery and development of the DigitalBoost programme is a tremendous example of that. There is a lot of great digital work being carried out across the public sector so it is extremely gratifying to see the work of Jacqueline and the DigitalBoost Team acknowledged with these award nominations. We must also recognise that this wouldn’t be possible without the local authorities, Business Gateway teams and the excellent contractors who all contribute to making the programme as successful as it is.”
Since DigitalBoost’s launch:
- Over 12000 business people from across Scotland have attended over 1700 local workshops with 97% rating them good or better than good.
- Over 5000 businesses have undertaken a digital health check
- Over 15000 digital guides have been downloaded
- Over 16000 hours of 1:1 advice has been provided to more than 1000 businesses.
- Almost 4000 businesses have benefited from online tutorials
In May 2018, the Scottish Government extended the programme’s funding with a further £1.7m being announced by the Economy Secretary, Keith Brown.
For more information on the DigitalBoost programme visit www.bgateway.com/DigitalBoost