Digital Training

October 26, 2022 by Julie McGrath

Digi Skills is an employability and digital training agency that supports those that have low digital skills or those that are furthest from the job market. As a business, we work within our communities to upskill those that are entering into employment, changing jobs, or simply wanting to upskill themselves to be more connected and educated. Our aim is to reduce the digital divide by giving everyone the chance to learn new digital skills.

What we do:

We have been extremely successful at delivering digital training workshops and 1-1 support to over 5000 people on over 100 different topics over the last 7 years. These workshops include:

How To Get Online
Online Safety & Scam Awareness
Careers – Creating a Digital CV and Cover Letter
Video Interviews and Video Calling
How To Work From Home
How To Build A Business
Staying Organised With Emails And Calendars
Improving Your Health Online
Managing Your Money
Using Public Services

Over the last two years, we have seen the demand for our services sore as Covid19 changed the digital landscape forever. This included how people apply for jobs, how and where we work, and how we can safely stay connected to our friends, family, and work colleagues.

Why we needed to increase our digital capability:

As an organisation we needed to be able to strategically engage with past and future attendees and offer further support & digital skills training. We knew that our learners wanted more support and we wanted to be able to help them, and follow their journey. We also wanted our organisation to be more sustainable, increase our organisation’s digital capability and improve our own use of technology. Good Things foundation helped make this a reality.

With the support from the BT Digital Capability fund and Good Things Foundation we were able to develop, test and deliver an idea to make our organisation become more effective and efficient for our learners and staff. This included:

Creating a centralised platform and introducing a new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system
Create a social media strategy for retargeting previous learners with updated information and new courses available for further learning
Execute a marketing strategy with selected user groups. Educate and inform our community on further signposting and courses available

This project helped us re-engage previous learners and support our staff to understand the previous learner’s goals and future ambitions. This also helped reduce administration time and improve the customer/learner journey. We were also able to effectively recruit new learners via social media advertising and email campaigns by strategically creating tailored messages that would spark the interest of each user group and demographic. We were also able to inform our volunteers and digital champions of events and workshops that were available in their area so they could inform those that may not be connected online YET!

What we achieved together:

We achieved amazing results with some learners getting new jobs, older adults getting online for the first time, some even learning how to use a tablet and send an email for the first time. School kids getting an injection of inspiration to open their eyes to a world of possibility and other diverse groups learning how to video call their families that live all over the world. Reducing the administration time and working smarter as an organisation allowed us to expand and win new business and also have a bigger impact within the community.

What’s Next:

Moving forward we hope to build on the great work that Good Things Foundation has helped us create and expand our digital skills resources, support, and digital capability. If anyone Northern Ireland area needs support with digital skills training as an individual, community group, or business please feel free to get in touch.

March 11, 2020 by Julie McGrath

TECHNOLOGY CAN REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CORONA VIRUS WITHIN THE WORKPLACE.

The Corona virus outbreak has had a huge impact on the world. Continued precautions recommended by health experts have seen the postponement of many public events. Sporting events, movie releases, music concerts have all been cancelled. It has even led to the Special Olympics being postponed.

One environment in particular facing absolute disruption is the workplace as workers are being sent home or businesses are shutting down until the outbreak has ceased. The hospitality sector is a clear example of this. Hotels bookings have dropped 15% throughout the UK and custom for restaurants has also declined with the postponement of the six nations Rugby Match against Italy. Premiership games set to play out this week have also been called off.

Companies are looking at other options such as working remotely from home. Working remotely is now a more common practice and has been made more possible by the rise of technology.

Best cloud computing services – at a glance

The cloud has also proven to have become a huge asset in the midst of this outbreak and become a solution to the problems faced by businesses and schools. Team meetings and collaborations are now being hosted via the cloud. Education has now too joined the cloud so students can still keep learning whilst being at home without their education being disrupted by the corona outbreak. Indeed technology has proven how in the face of a crisis like this it can provide solutions that will benefit both employees and employers.

In the meantime, here are three tips to reduce the impact of Coronavirus within the business.

Build resilience into your businesses. Form you own continuity plans on how your business will deal with COVID-19. Having good plans in place is just good business practice so if you haven’t any in place then taking a bit of time now to do so will be best for your business all round. Some of this summary by Allen & Overy is perhaps aimed at large businesses but a lot may be relevant to consider for SME’S also:

A few points to have in mind would be:

How will you continue to operate your business should home-working be required?
How will you manage resources should someone in your business have COVID-19 or need to self-isolate?
How will you manage contractual risks should you default due to COVID-19?
How will you manage finances should COVID-19 impact your business?
How will you manage your supply chain?
How will you managing your customer/client relationships?
Have you got business continuity insurance in place?

Keep up to date with government advice and information. Of particular interest to you will be the advice in respect to employers and businesses:
Please keep the your Team informed of:

Recent and future travel plans for your staff
Any instances of self-isolation,
Any instances of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As an employability business, we work with cloud technologies to allow us to conduct client meetings and candidate interviews. This will reduce the amount of travel and face to face connection required throughout the recruitment process. For more information on how we can help you meet your recruitment demands virtually please get in touch with one of our consultants via hello@digiskills.agency

April 1, 2017 by Julie McGrath

For those who spend all their time working but never feel as if they are truly progressing, their working life can become at best unfulfilling and at worst soul destroying.

For anyone who feels as if they are stuck at their current level while those around them are easily climbing the career ladder, it could be time to consider the five-hour rule – a technique used by modern moguls such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to propel their careers into success.

Here is everything you need to know about the five-hour rule – which focuses on at least one hour per day of dedicated learning and development – and how it could benefit you.

Reading

Setting time aside to read is one of the best ways to learn. Soak up the knowledge that both fiction and non-fiction books can offer and aim to reach a target number of books read over the period of a week or month. With ebooks on the rise, it is easy to read on the go and in a number of ways, making this one of the most original, best and accessible ways to learn.

Reflection

Absorbing knowledge through reading and other means is all well and good; however, unless you take time to reflect upon the information you have learned, the benefit can easily be lost. Structure your reflection time by using a journal or other exercises to think about what you have learned and how you can apply it to you working life and future goals.

Experimentation

The only way to make new breakthroughs is to test out new ideas; therefore, set aside time in your five hours a week to try our new schemes, theories, ideas or products – even the ones that feel like no-starters. Some of the world’s most successful ventures started off with a crazy idea and someone brave enough to test it out. Even if your theory does not work, you will still have learnt something.

Setting time aside

When you are working many hours a week, it might be difficult to find spare time when you feel motivated enough to learn. You might not feel that you do not even need to learn; after all, you are learning while you are working – right? Wrong – dedicated learning that is targeted specifically towards your goals does not happen by chance; to grow, you should not confuse working with learning.

Self-improvement

Productivity and success are important, but mean nothing if achieved cheaply and quickly. The five-hour rule emphasises self-improvement as part of a long-term process to become the best version of yourself.

You can also check out some of our fulfilling jobs in your area, as a great job coupled with self-improvement can only lead to bigger and better prospects overall.

July 14, 2016 by Julie McGrath

I’ve Graduated – What do I do now? 6 reasons why you don’t need to panic!

It’s that time of year again! You have done all the hard work; you have received that really expensive piece of A4 paper that states you have officially entered into the adult world. Employment is looming and inspiration has yet to strike about your future plans, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of despair. All of your friends are starting fancy grad schemes or tracking off around Europe, while the only thing you’ve got lined up is a Game of Throne’s Marathon and scheduled panic attacks about the graduate job market, while mum and dad breath down your neck about getting a job!

Your student discount card is about to expire, and if another family member asks you about your career plans then you might just have a breakdown. Sound familiar? These six points might help to reassure you.

1. You’re still young

Those who started a three-year course straight from school will have only just turned 21, so there’s no rush to accept the first 9-5 job that you’re offered. Becky Williams, a recent graduate from Cardiff University, turned down several graduate jobs in favour of continuing with bar work.

She says: “I don’t see the point in accepting a poorly-paid graduate job that I’m not even sure I want to do, just because I’m expected to. I’d rather save up until I’ve had time to decide what I really want to pursue.”

2. Comparing yourself to other people is a waste of time

Just because your housemate has secured their ideal job doesn’t mean that you’re a failure by contrast.

3. You can’t discover who you want to be until you find out who you are

Personalities often change at university, which can be daunting beyond the bubble of campus life. Challenge yourself by experiencing something new, while you still have the chance. Chris Jenkins of Southampton University has just returned from Southeast Asia, in time for his graduation:

“I had wanted to travel and experience different cultures for a while, and the summer before starting work provided that opportunity. It was the best experience of my life. I thoroughly recommend going out into the world and seeing it for yourself, regardless of whether you have a job lined up for your return”, he said.

4. Many successful career-people have ‘fallen into’ their line of work

Recent statistics from the New College of the Humanities found that 19 out of 20 graduates had switched jobs within three years. Be confident enough to accept that your dream career might not be as you had hoped, and devise a new plan according to the aspects that you enjoyed.

5. Your degree won’t go to waste

Deciding that you don’t want to be a psychologist doesn’t necessarily mean that the three years and thousands of pounds spent on a psychology degree was all for nothing – any university education teaches a desirable skill set. According to Prospects, many graduate employers seek degree-level candidates rather than those disciplined in a specific subject.

6. You’re not alone

Marcus Zientek, a careers adviser at Sheffield University, says that many students are unsure of their plans after graduation:

“How uncertain they are does vary, from those who have an interest in a general area of work but have not yet decided about it, to those who describe themselves as not having any ideas at all.

“Panicking doesn’t help and is unnecessary anyway. Don’t let things drift – keep calm and make a plan. Realise that you’re not deciding what to do with the rest of your life, but choosing a good next step for you.”

What to do next – Keep you options open, and get yourself out there!

Graduate careers fairs are an important resource for graduate appointments – even if you don’t get a graduate placement as a direct result of the fair, you’re still taking steps towards your chosen career and moving closer to recruitment in your perfect job.

A suitable graduate placement can be difficult to find, and with the amount of competition vying for graduate appointments you have to use every avenue you can to maximise your chances of finding the right graduate placement for you.

Careers fairs are one of the best ways to find graduate appointments in your area of interest. A careers fair is an excellent opportunity to meet potential employers face to face and market yourself to your chosen industry. Even if you haven’t finished your course and are still in further study, careers fairs are still worthwhile as a source of information, contacts and interview experience.

If you are interested in attending a graduate recruitment careers fair, the upcoming ‘National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition’ may be the ideal opportunity for you. It will be taking place on the 4^th and 5^th of November and will be held inside the NEC in Birmingham. Check it out by clicking here.

Job recruitment at careers fairs

Job recruitment careers fairs offer a multitude of benefits to graduates. If you’re ambitious and organised you can get a lot out of a career fair, including;

Honing your interview skills – Even if you aren’t offered a job, talking to prospective employers about graduate appointments gives you valuable confidence and experience of interviews.

Expanding your network – Meeting job recruiters and even fellow graduates helps you build useful contacts for future reference.

Learning industry information – Speaking to job recruitment professionals in your chosen sector is a great way to learn about the industry.

Gathering information about companies – Investigating the kind of graduate placements offered by a company tells you a lot about that organisation as a whole.

Job Hunting

It’s rare to fall straight into a job after you’ve graduated. Job hunting can take several months so it’s important to stay motivated in your job search and make the most of the opportunities and support out there. These jobseeking tips and tricks will help you choose your ideal career, search for job vacancies and stay focused on your career goals.

Research industries and companies that interest you
Get out there and speak to companies proactively at exhibitions etc..
Sign up to recruitment consultancies. Let them help and identify your next career move
Stay motivated. It can take a while to find that right job role. It will be worth it!
Graffiti Recruitment can give sound industry advice hints and tips on your next move.

If you are interest in IT Technology roles then be sure to check out some of our latest jobs by clicking here!

Need advice on employability? Look no further.

www.graffitirecruitment.co.uk

January 31, 2016 by Julie McGrath

8 Simple ways to achieve Happiness…

Definition – “Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.”

1. Be resilient.

Instead of running in overdrive and burning out, train your nervous system to bounce back from setbacks. You will naturally reduce stress and thrive in the face of difficulties.

2. Stay in the moment.

Instead of always thinking about what’s next on your to-do list, concentrate on the task at hand. You will become more productive and also even more charismatic.

3. Manage your stamina.

Instead of engaging in states of mind that just exhaust you, learn to manage your stamina by remaining calm and centered. You’ll be able to save mental energy for the tasks that really need it most.

4. Be kind to yourself.

Don’ be so self-critical, be compassionate with yourself. You will improve your ability to excel in the face of challenge and be more likely to learn from mistakes.

5. Just do nothing.

Instead of spending all your time focused on your work, make time for idleness, fun, and irrelevant interests. You will become more creative and innovative and will be more likely to come up with breakthrough ideas.

6. Challenge yourself.

We tend to think we’re good at only certain things, and we usually play it safe when we should be taking risks. Understand that your brain is built to learn new things — that’s how we gain new skills and expertise.

7. Show compassion to others.

Instead of focusing only on yourself, express compassion to and show interest in people around you, maintain supportive relationships with your colleagues, boss, and employees. You will dramatically increase the loyalty and commitment of your colleagues and employees, which dramatically improve productivity, performance, and influence.

8. Take Action

When you want to lose weight – start running. Someone’s being rude to you? Tell them to stop. If you’re unhappy with your job, start looking for a new one. Get behind the steering wheel of your own life!

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Graffiti Recruitment - 8 simple steps to achieve happiness! — Graffiti Recruitment – 8 simple steps to achieve happiness!

January 18, 2016 by Julie McGrath

5 Tips on ‘Job Searching’ from a ‘Job Seeker’!

Job Searching can feel like the biggest mission for a lot of people and its even worse when you’ve never even had a job before. The vicious circle of ‘I need experience for job but I have no experience’. However, it is important to remember that everyone who has a job started off without one and finding one. Here are some tips that will hopefully get you in the right direction.

Get involved in a job searching services

Finding the nearest Job Club or agency that provides job help would be the first ideal thing to do to get all the information you need. You’ll also get help with cv writing, cover letters and job searching effectively. They may also get you involved in employability workshops with actual employers so you can talk to them and get more of an idea of the world of work. Plus find people in the same boat as you so you can help each other out and not feel alone.

Volunteering

All in all, volunteering is much easier to get into than finding a job. There’s always a good cause that people need help with and contributing makes a big difference. You will learn new skills and get involved with warm, friendly people. This can all be put into your cv potentially increasing your likelihood of getting a job.

Another thing is that if the people you’re volunteering for like you enough, they may be able to employ you themselves!

Don’t wait for jobs to be advertised

If you have information on companies you’re thinking of being employed by, just send your cv and cover letter to them or ask for information regarding vacancies or things you may be able to offer. A lot of jobs don’t actually get displayed and even if they don’t have anything on, companies might remember you in future.

Ask friends and family

The phrase ‘Its not what you know, its who you know’ comes into play here. Getting information from your loved ones can take a bit of weight off yet keep you on your toes at the same time. They’ll understand what you’re looking for and having more than one pair of eyes searching for jobs for you makes sure you don’t miss opportunities. If you’re lucky someone you know who’s employed might be able to get a placement for you.

Network

‘Its not what you know, its who you know’ happens here too. More and more people search for potential employees on the internet. Many more jobs are advertised on the internet as well so you may have a better chance of getting work going by that route. Plus you can talk to all kinds of people online who can give you more information since almost everyone uses the internet in one way or another. Many people who wish to work in the creative industry, the hardest place to get work into promote their work online and make friends with other creatives therefore increasing their profile and likelihood of getting work.