The Skills Toolkit: Government online learning platform launches

The UK government has launched a new online learning platform, The Skills Toolkit, to provide free training opportunities to the many workers who have been furloughed or lost jobs during the coronavirus outbreak.

The new platform, accessible via the government website, gives access to digital and numeracy courses to ensure the UK workforce can continue to upskill, and people can improve job prospects despite social distancing restrictions.

Courses on offer cover a range of levels, from everyday maths and tools for using email and social media more effectively at work to more advanced training and has been developed to focus on those skills most in-demand from employers.

Individuals will be able to access courses helping them to create great online content developed by the University of Leeds and the Institute of Coding, to understand the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing from Google Digital Garage and to learn how to code for data analysis from the Open University. All courses are online and flexible, so people can work through them at their own pace.

The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

I know how difficult the recent months have been and the huge changes the coronavirus has brought on the daily lives of us all.

“The high-quality and free to access courses on offer on our new online learning platform, The Skills Toolkit, will help those whose jobs have been affected by the outbreak, and people looking to boost their skills while they are staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.

“I want businesses to encourage their furloughed employees to use The Skills Toolkit to improve their knowledge, build their confidence and support their mental health so they have skills they need to succeed after the coronavirus outbreak.”

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

The impact of Covid-19 has shown how important digital skills are – both for work and other aspects of our lives. Technology is going to play a hugely important role in our economic recovery and this new platform will help ensure everyone is able to improve their digital skills and take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

The courses available through the online learning platform have been selected on the advice of experts and leading employers to make sure they meet the needs of business, not just for today but in the future. The Skills Toolkit is one part of Government’s plan to assist with the longer-term recovery to boost employability across the country, helping people to build up the skills employers need during time spent at home.

Employers are also encouraged to use The Skills Toolkit to help to support and develop furloughed employees who are interested in learning from home.

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director said:

Online learning is a great way for people to upgrade their skills at any time, but never more so than during a lockdown.

“The toolkit’s heavy emphasis on the skills that businesses need are welcome.

“Maths and digital skills are highly prized by employers, so for those who take the chance to upskill they can help improve their job prospects and career progression. I’d encourage all businesses to make their staff aware of this learning opportunity.”