Infoxchange and Google join forces with local communities to address South Australia's digital divide
Press release September 20, 2018 Google InfoxchangeSouth Australia will play host to a series of free digital learning events over the coming weeks that aim to address the state’s digital divide – which is now the worst in Australia.
Digital Springboard is a program from Infoxchange and Google.org to help Australians gain new digital skills, further their career and prepare for the future.
The program aims to ensure Australians have the digital skills they need for work and life by providing face-to-face training to help them build confidence with online tools and prepare for new opportunities.
Infoxchange will be working with a host of South Australian organisations to deliver the free Digital Springboard courses during September and October.
"South Australia is now the most digitally excluded state in the country,” says Infoxchange CEO David Spriggs.
“That’s why we’re working with local communities to deliver Digital Springboard courses that will help people learn digital skills and build their confidence in using online tools.”
South Australia has the lowest rate of digital inclusion in the country according to the recently released Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII).
The State’s ADII score is 57.9, behind the national average of 60.2. The top two most digitally excluded places in Australia are the South Australian regions of Eyre and South East SA.
“Digital inclusion is about so much more than just computers or technology. It’s about the ability to fully participate in our economic and social life – but many South Australians are getting left behind,” says David.
Some of the local organisations helping to deliver the courses include Public Library Services South Australia, City of Marion, City of Onkaparinga, Barossa Council Public Library, City of Playford, Campbelltown Library, City of Prospect and Light Regional Public Library.
Topics on offer include how to build a CV and write a cover letter in a digital world, and how to use social media for businesses.
“Public Library Services is very excited to be able to support Public Libraries in SA to take part in the Digital Springboard program,” says Veronica Mathews, Assistant Manager of Strategic Projects and Communication at Public Library Services.
“The program with its varied curriculum is a great place for those community members wanting to build their skills. Digital Springboard is providing a great platform for the community to learn and grow.”
David Spriggs says that South Australians with low levels of income, education and employment are significantly less digitally included.
“People who are at a digital disadvantage are often facing other forms of social and economic disadvantage too. That means that many of the people who have the most to gain from the social, educational and financial benefits of being online are missing out,” says David.
“The digital inclusion gap between South Australians with jobs versus those who are unemployed is actually increasing. With modern workplaces relying so much on a digitally skilled workforce, that’s a really worrying trend.”
Working with local delivery partners, Digital Springboard will provide in-person digital skills training across Australia for the remainder of the year.
Community organisations and not-for-profits who are interested in being part of the program can find out more via the Digital Springboard website.
For more information, visit digitalspringboard.org.au
For media enquiries, please contact:
Rachel Brown, Media and Communications Officer, Infoxchange – [email protected] – +61 3 9418 7428 / +61 404 416 378
Contact at the events:
Jess Perrin, Social Innovation and Digital Inclusion Manager, Infoxchange, +61 402 323 534
Schedule of events
Media are invited to attend these events.
Monday 24 September 2018
» Writing for social media – delivered by City of Marion
10:30am-11:45am, Cove Civic Centre, 1 Ragamuffin Drive, Hallett Cove
» Social media strategy – delivered by City of Marion
1:00pm-2:45pm, Cove Civic Centre, 1 Ragamuffin Drive, Hallett Cove
Tuesday 25 September 2018
» Train the trainer for Digital Springboard delivery partners exclusive for Community Centres SA – delivered by Infoxchange
Build a CV, 1:00pm-2:30pm, Community Centres SA
Write a cover letter, 3:00pm-4:30pm, Community Centres SA
» Build a CV – delivered by Infoxchange and City of Onkaparinga
2:00pm-3:30pm, Seaford Library, Grand Blvd, Seaford
Wednesday 26 September 2018
» Train the trainer for Digital Springboard delivery partners – delivered by Infoxchange
State Library of South Australia, Hetzel Theatre, Corner North Tce & Kintore Ave, Adelaide
Getting started with Digital Springboard, 9:30am-10:30am
Skills to start your own business - parts 1, 2, 3, 10:45am-11:45am
Skills to start your own business - parts 1, 2, 3 continued, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Get started with code, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Answering questions with data, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday 27 September 2018
» Build a CV and Write a cover letter – delivered by Infoxchange
4:30pm – 6:30pm, Nuriootpa Library, 43-51 Tanunda Road, Nuriootpa
Wednesday 3 October 2018
» Spreadsheets for beginners – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
2:00pm-4:00pm, Kapunda Library, 51 - 53 Main St, Kapunda
Friday 5 October 2018
» Introduction to email – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
10:00am to 12:00pm, Freeling Library, 7 Hanson St, Freeling
Wednesday 10 October 2018
» Introduction to email – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
2:00pm-4:00pm, Freeling Library, 7 Hanson St, Freeling
Friday 12 October 2018
» Spreadsheets for beginners – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
10:00am-12:00pm, Freeling Library, 7 Hanson St, Freeling
Saturday 20 October 2018
» Start your own business (Day 1) – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
10:30am-3:30pm, Kapunda Library, 51 - 53 Main St, Kapunda
Sunday 21 October 2018
» Start your own business (Day 2) – delivered by Light Regional Public Library
10:30am to 3:30pm, Kapunda Library, 51 - 53 Main St, Kapunda
About Infoxchange
Infoxchange is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has delivered technology for social justice for over 25 years.
With over 100 staff across Australia and New Zealand we tackle the biggest social challenges through the smart and creative use of technology.
We work with community, government and corporate partners to solve family violence, homelessness, mental health and issues facing people with disabilities, the elderly, Aboriginal, Maori and Pasifika communities.
Our products and services are used by over 7500 organisations across the community sector. We provide the right tools to improve efficiency and deliver greater impact – from nation-wide service coordination systems to IT advice for individual organisations.
Our community programs focus on digital inclusion. We use technology to improve the lives of vulnerable people, driving social inclusion and creating stronger communities. We believe no-one should be left behind in today’s digital world.
About Google.org
Google.org brings the best of Google to innovative nonprofits that are committed to creating a world that works for everyone.
When everyone has the chance to succeed, we all prosper. That’s why Google.org supports organisations that use technology and innovation to power an economy in which more people have an opportunity to thrive. With Google’s philanthropy, products, and people, we hope to not only propel the work of these organisations forward, but also to explore ways to create a world where work is fair, satisfying, and offers a pathway to prosperity for everyone.
Subjects
Google Infoxchange
Follow