Sunshine Coast-based business The Training Collective has been announced as one of 29 finalists in the 2014 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (ANZIAs) which recognise organisations, businesses and individuals who excel in delivering accessible, innovative, informative and secure resources to a diverse and wide community on the internet.
The Training Collective’s Get Up To Speed program will go up against iiNET, The Deaf Society of NSW and the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cybersmart Program in the Access and Digital Skills category of the ANZIAs, with winners announced at the gala awards dinner on 25 August.
A spin-off company of The Creative Collective, The Training Collective’s successful online Get Up To Speed program aims to help give participants essential digital skills. More than 650 people from around Australia and New Zealand, aged from 17 to over 70, have completed the 12-week program since 2012.
Founder and director Yvette Adams said while her company had been named as a finalist and winner in awards programs recognising its achievements, this was the first time one of its products was recognised.
“We’re really proud to have collaborated with a great team of people on the Sunshine Coast back in 2012 when we first got the Get Up To Speed program off the ground, including Broadband Today, Sunshine Coast Council, Montague Consulting and the Australasia Leadership Academy.
“Despite the program no longer being government-funded, we are still able to offer it at a really low price point to ensure it is as accessible as possible, as we believe it is much needed in the marketplace.”
Ms Adams often says that digital literacy is the new financial literacy and the program helps people to become more digitally literate.
“Whether you are a parent wanting to keep up with your children and their use of technology, a professional wanting to ensure your skills stay current so you are employable, you want to start an online business or are already running your own business, it is essential to have digital skills,” she said.
For more information about the awards see www.internetawards.org.au.
