The training was created and delivered by the Tinder Foundation (formerly known as the Online Centres Foundation) and offers community volunteers the opportunity to learn how to help people most in need of digital support to get started online.
It's estimated that there are over half a million people in the North East without basic online skills. By developing a network of digital champions, it's hoped that they can deliver a sustained improvement in digital awareness and skills in the North East.
Anthony Ainsworth, Sales and Marketing Director at E.ON, said: "In this digital era, it's more important than ever to have at least a basic understanding of the internet. That's why we're keen to develop this network of digital champions to help educate people about the advantages of being online. Through this digital skills training, we're also able to reach people who may be in or at risk of fuel poverty and can offer support with tools to help them manage their energy bills and use no more energy than they need to."
Anna Geraghty, Head of Marketing, Communications and Training at the Tinder Foundation said: "By supporting this training, E.ON has really shown its commitment to helping its customers and the population at large become more digitally included. The training events have been great and have shown that a partnership approach - with people from the community, businesses and the voluntary sector coming together - can help us take even bigger steps toward helping everyone cross the digital divide."
Graham Walker, CEO at Go ON UK, said: "It's fantastic that E.ON is supporting the training of digital champions in the North East. There's so much to gain from being online, and the best way to learn is through real people in the region who are willing and able to share their digital skills with others."
E.ON is a Founder Partner in Go ON UK and shares the aim of making the UK the world's most digitally skilled nation. For more information about E.ON's commitment to supporting Go ON UK and or for energy- saving advice, visit eonenergy.com
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial customers. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
- Go ON UK is a cross-sector charity which was established in 2012 to encourage and support people, business and charities to enjoy the benefits of being online. Go ON UK has nine chief executives around its boardroom table - Age UK, Argos, BBC, Big Lottery Fund, E.ON, EE, Lloyds Banking Group, Post Office and TalkTalk. Together, Go ON UK's vision is to make the UK the world's most digitally skilled nation.
- Go ON North East is working with people and partners to kickstart its regional digital skills roll out in the North East of England. This is the first regional pathfinder being rolled out by Go ON UK and partners to help increase the Basic Online Skills of individuals, SMEs and charities. The Pathfinder will provide a platform for a sustainable digital skills programme in the North East and a replicable model for other UK regions to use to improve their digital skills.
- Basic Online Skills are the basic skills needed to enjoy a wide range of online benefits, including being able to transact online safely. Go ON UK has defined the categories of skill and the activities people need to be able to complete at a basic level which include the ability to send and receive email, use a search engine, browse the internet and complete online forms
For more information contact:
Naomi Troy on 02476 180523 or naomi.troy@eon-uk.com
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