Clickworks – a new centre for all things digital in St Helens – was officially opened today (12th October) by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Part of St Helens Chamber, Clickworks aims to create a strong digital community and be the catalyst for change in St Helens, by connecting business with the resources, skills and talent they need to succeed, whilst providing an interactive and supportive space for local people to improve their digital skills.
Over the last ten months a transformation has been underway at the Hardshaw Street building in St Helens Town Centre, thanks to funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Local Growth Funding is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.
Kath Boullen, Chief Executive of St Helens Chamber explains: “St Helens Chamber has always been at the forefront of delivering skills and services to help local businesses and people succeed, supporting our core mission to enhance the economic success of St Helens.
“In the modern workplace, digital skills are essential for businesses to thrive. We recognised that there was a significant need to improve the digital landscape of St Helens, so set out to develop and provide a new service that will build the digital capabilities needed.
“Through the support of funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, St.Helens Council and Pilkington we are delighted to be able to launch this new digital training facility for St Helens.
Opening Clickworks, Steve Rotheram commented:
“I am committed to ensuring that the Liverpool City Region is the most digitally connected in the country and to make the most of that we need to ensure that businesses and individuals have the right digital skills to capitalise on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is impossible to overstate how important it is for the city region’s businesses to maximise the opportunities presented by digital connectivity, which is why Clickworks will be such an important addition to St Helens’ business support infrastructure.”
The Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said:
“This Government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Northern Powerhouse and building a Britain fit for the future.
“I’m delighted to see the opening of the Clickworks centre in St Helens. The Free Digital Skills training and the access to the latest equipment that this centre provides is invaluable – aiding local residents to gain new skills, whilst boosting local business productivity within the Northern Powerhouse.”
Over the next six months the Clickworks team will be reaching out to businesses and people all over the Borough to offer free digital skills training, at times and venues to fit around their work commitments and lifestyles.
To help make digital skills accessible to everyone in St Helens, Clickworks has a range of facilities and equipment, including cutting edge technology such as 3D printing and virtual reality.