Kerry Harrison, Regional Coordinator for the Lancashire Local DSP
Local Digital Skills Partnerships (Local DSPs) bring together businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to tackle local digital skills challenges. Supported by the DSP, these partnerships are working to build thriving and inclusive local economies. This week, we're introducing the Regional Coordinators for each of the first three Local DSPs.
Hi. I’m Kerry Harrison, the Regional Coordinator leading Lancashire’s Digital Skills Partnership (LDSP).
Before taking up my new position I was a Curriculum Manager across a range of subjects at a Lancashire College, and led digital skills development and innovation for the large staff body of the College. I have also worked as a 14-19 Curriculum Support and Development Manager at St Helens Local Authority, working collaboratively across the Borough and Merseyside to increase the curriculum and career opportunities for young people. Prior to this I was a senior leader in a High School and taught for many years.
The role of Regional Coordinator for the Local DSP
Our Local Digital Skills Partnership was launched in Lancashire on 18 April last year. I am now 3 months into my role and the momentum of our Partnership is really gathering pace. I see my role as bringing together the right partners to take forward the vision and local priorities for improving digital skills within Lancashire, capitalising on the opportunities developed by the national-level Digital Skills Partnership and introductions from DCMS.
So much good work already happens in Lancashire and the Local DSP helps to bring partners together to fill gaps. It’s my job to share knowledge and opportunities, and join the dots between existing good practice and those in need of support and development. Growing the number of people, businesses and providers in our partnership will continue to strengthen the work that takes place now.
The need for digital skills
Whether you're a technology enthusiast or not, digital touches almost every aspect of our lives - from tracking fitness to booking holidays to advancing our careers - so learning to use it effectively is essential. A lack of basic skills can cost residents in Lancashire money or limit employment opportunities, and more advanced skills will be become increasingly vital for our future economy and the productivity of our businesses.
Looking forward
Working in collaboration with DCMS, national and local partners, I want to help ensure that Lancashire is a digital skills hotspot, with high levels of digital inclusion, successful businesses and increased productivity across all sectors.
We’re already running a number of projects aimed at meeting those challenges, so I’ll share another blog post shortly with more detail on those and the partners we’re collaborating with.
In the meantime, you can stay in touch with Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership news @LancsSkillsHub #DigitalSkills or read more online