Online and on the record

According to Ofcom, 70% of British 12-15 year olds with access to the internet at home have a social networking profile. Using social media as part of their digital CV helps young people to raise their profile among prospective employers. As such, it is increasingly important for them to use social media proactively. But tomorrow’s jobseekers also need to understand the impact of their digital footprint – and that what goes online stays online.

When the Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership conducted informal discussions with young people about this, it discovered low awareness of the importance of leaving the right digital footprint and of the impression their social media activity might give employers.

That is why it has launched Digitally Sorted, a programme that seeks to equip young people with the skills they need to survive in – and make a positive contribution to – an increasingly digital world.

Increasing digital literacy

The Education Business Partnership’s Digitally Sorted programme will be delivered in partnership with both schools and businesses. Supported by Nominet Trust, it seeks to raise awareness both of the opportunities presented by social media in a work/business context and its importance to their subsequent careers.

Young people aged 12-15 will be given the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and leadership skills required to place the use of digital technologies within a business context, increase their digital literacy and in turn, educate other young people.

In an increasingly competitive economic climate, the ability to exploit new technologies is key. Working with local employers at the cutting edge of the industry, they will explore digital technologies and also learn about safe digital awareness within the context of future employment. As a result, they will understand not only the opportunities presented by new technologies and the impact on future employment patterns, but also the importance of their personal digital footprint and that ‘what goes online, stays online’.

‘Real world’ information

Through a series of workshops and training activities, ambassadors and role models from the business community will provide ‘real world’ information about current and future business use of new technologies, promoting good practice.

These ambassadors will also support careers information, advice and guidance in the classroom by providing examples of career opportunities. They will also emphasise the importance of maintaining a good online reputation for future recruitment prospects.