Bristol is brimming with small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the e-commerce space. All of these businesses have to deal with two challenges: going digital and maintaining their position in the digital world. That is why their employees, employers, and everyone in between are quickly recognising the importance of digital skills and are seeking workshops and training opportunities to learn them.
Digital skills like AI automation, project management, data science, digital marketing, cybersecurity, etc., can help e-commerce businesses overcome operational challenges through technology. Many business owners do not even have the basic know-how of computers, which is why they have trouble using their e-commerce stores to their full potential.
Fortunately, Bristol business owners and their teams can benefit from a wide range of workshops and training opportunities to learn digital skills. Whether it is a luxury furniture maker, an educational organisation, an electric vehicle maintenance firm, or other business owners building an online store in Bristol, everyone can benefit from these learning resources to grow their business, upskill their staff, and embrace technological change without support from experts.
The following 7 learning resources are tailored to business owners and tech specialists in different tiers, from professionals seeking advanced certifications to business owners who just want to know how to produce, present, and exchange their business information.
1. Made Smarter West of England By UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol offers Made Smarter West of England programme is a great initiative by the West of England Combined Authority in partnership with UWE Bristol for business owners in the making and manufacturing sectors in Bristol. Business owners can learn how to adopt digital technologies to improve the performance and sustainability of their business with these fully funded one-to-one assessments, match-funded grants of up to £20,00,0, and digital leadership training to upskill employees.
2. SkillTec Training
SkillTec Training is an instructor-led training provider based in Bristol that offers bespoke courses to organisations wanting to maximise their team’s potential. The courses offer everything from administration skills, Microsoft Office digital training, leadership, mentorship, and selling skills that help Bristol business owners improve their sales results. While most of these courses are delivered in virtual classrooms, some are also delivered in person, and they are of extreme value for businesses that want to equip fresh or established staff with necessary digital skills.
3. Digital Skills for Work By Weston College
Weston College courses are created for job seekers and professional learners. The “Digital Skills for Work” is a one-week course that starts off with basic computer skills and learning about digital devices, and ends with practical workshops on Microsoft 365 software. Participants can progress onto other training opportunities too, like the Customer Service Skills course or Sector-Based Work Academy programs.
4. Adult ESOL and Digital Skills By City of Bristol College
Many business owners in Bristol do not speak English as their native language. They struggle with vocabulary and phrases that are used in day-to-day digital processes like emailing, saving and finding files, online shopping, and while using Microsoft Office. City of Bristol College offers a 10-week short course for such individuals and employers who have Entry 1 ESOL level and would like to expand their digital knowledge and skills for further business development and networking.
5. Free Tech Courses By Code Labs Academy
Code Labs Academy offers a range of mini-courses designed to enhance digital skills. These mini courses can build teams from scratch by providing cutting-edge training and insightful learning on machine learning, artificial intelligence, reinforcement learning, cybersecurity, problem framing and definition, etc. These are future-proof digital skills that every business owner and their teams must equip themselves with.
6. AI Courses By Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is an industry-recognised training provider with premium learning resources. Their AI courses are renowned for providing valuable resources for digital decision makers. Whether it is AI modelling, AI-optimised hardware, cyber defence, or market automation, these AI modules have become invaluable for any business owner or employee who wants to automate or delegate repetitive or advanced technological aspects of their business.
7. Digital Functional Skills Level E3 By Bath College
This course is offered in Bath, not in Bristol. However, the Digital Functional Skills Level E3 is perfect for nervous or demure Bristol business owners who want to gain the most basic digital skills, such as how to use a computer, navigate the internet, manage emails, and create documents. It is the perfect training program for those who have no prior digital experience and would like to manage a team or boost their job prospects.
Starting An Online Store In Bristol: Is Learning Enough Or Practice Is Also Necessary?
These digital workshops can provide the knowledge, but it is futile if not applied in practical situations, such as while managing teams, strengthening digital workforce, or protecting businesses against cybercrime.
A business owner must opt for the most suitable courses as per the digital requirements of their business, and pair them with practice and experimentation. This is how entrepreneurs and business owners can turn their digital skills into profitable returns.