{"id":1268,"date":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techsparx.co.uk\/north\/uncategorized\/focus-digital-skills-deliver-25000-local-jobs-according-teesside-uni-report\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T14:37:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T14:37:50","slug":"focus-digital-skills-deliver-25000-local-jobs-according-teesside-uni-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techsparx.co.uk\/north\/focus-digital-skills-deliver-25000-local-jobs-according-teesside-uni-report\/","title":{"rendered":"How a focus on digital skills could deliver 25,000 local jobs, according to Teesside Uni report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Increasing the digital skills of Teesside\u2019s workforce and businesses is the best way to improve the local economy, says Teesside University.<\/p>\n

As the Prime Minister Theresa May announced her Government\u2019s industrial strategy, the university has published its blueprint for the local economy.<\/p>\n

The five-point plan aims to support targets to increase start-ups by 25% and create 25,000 jobs by 2025 on Teesside.<\/p>\n

The university thinks that the best way to develop good quality jobs is to invest in digital skills now.<\/p>\n

In turn, it hopes that will mean Teesside will develop a \u201cnational and international\u201d reputation for digital skills – and lead to businesses flocking to the area.<\/p>\n

The \u2018DigitalCity – Catalyst for Growth\u2019 report sets out five key areas for growth:<\/h4>\n

1) Supporting digital start-up companies<\/p>\n

2) Driving the growth of businesses through digital<\/p>\n

3) Transforming sectors with digital knowledge by providing businesses with research and expertise to improve their competitiveness<\/p>\n

4) Preparing businesses for the influence of automation and digital supply chains<\/p>\n

5) Growing digital skills and talent by giving Teessiders and businesses the digital know-how they need for the future.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Teesside University\u2019s pro vice-chancellor for enterprise and business engagement, Professor Jane Turner, said: \u201cDigital defines the way we do business today.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor traditional industries, the extent to which they adapt to digital change is a major factor in deciding whether they succeed, stall or fail in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, digital is the driving force powering the growth of new businesses and new sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Business leaders welcomed the plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeesside University is a driving force behind the digital transformation of the Tees Valley\u2019s economy, playing a vital role in connecting our region to new opportunities and networks,\u201d said Andrew Lewis, managing director of the Tees Valley Combined Authority.<\/p>\n