Council Introduces New Digital Initiative for Small Businesses
A new initiative, led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with Southern Regional College (SRC) and South Eastern Regional College (SERC), will help equip local businesses (SMEs) with the confidence, skills and tools to benefit from the rapid growth of digital and emerging technologies.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, right, with Kieran Swail, Tourism and Innovation Specialist, Southern Regional College; Paul Walsh, Downpatrick Campus Manager, South Eastern Regional College; and Tracy Rice, Business Development Manager, Southern Regional College.
The programme, entitled Digital NMD, will highlight the importance of innovation and growth and, over the course of the year, will help local businesses explore technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IOT), Immersive Video content, 3D Printing, and Big Data.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Rosie Mulgrew said: “Digital NMD is the next logical step in ensuring our local businesses are as fully equipped as they can be to tackle what has become a highly competitive business environment. I hope business owners and managers take the opportunity to join us and see what is on offer and how it may benefit their business.
“The project will be open to all business sectors but will concentrate on exploring new solutions for creative industries, tourism and hospitality, retail, agriculture, construction and the manufacturing sectors.
“Digital NMD will focus on setting up innovative clusters to stimulate and highlight the business opportunities Emerging Technologies can bring and will deliver expert one-to-one mentoring, workshops, seminars and digital diagnostics on the subject.”
Southern Regional College CEO, Brian Doran said: “SRC is delighted to be involved in this collaborative initiative with our colleagues in SERC and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. We are committed to working in partnership to bring a world class service to local industry, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to enable them to compete on the global stage.”
SERC Principal and Chief Executive, Ken Webb added: “As a leading college in digital transformation, we are delighted to be part of this unique collaboration to help develop the digital skills of the region. The programme will enable businesses to fully harness the opportunities from digital emerging technologies and aims to provide participants with the distinct skills required to take up new opportunities in this rapidly growing area.”
The programme officially launched in the Burrendale Hotel where businesses tried a range of demonstrations and hear from guest speakers and learned more about the support on offer through the programme.
For more information on Emerging Technologies and support of offer, please visit:
