Lancashire UK Firms Get Free Seminars On Benefitting from Fast Broadband

The state aid supported Superfast Lancashire project, which aims to make BT’s superfast broadband (FTTC/P) services available to 97% of local premises by the end of 2014 2015 (here), has begun offering free seminars that will teach businesses how to get the most out of the new internet access technologies.

The new Business Support Programme will be underpinned by a team of advisers that can also offer free support (including face-to-face), training workshops and skills master classes to eligible firms.

Apparently the offer is being targeted at small and medium sized businesses that are a home for up to 250 employees.

Mark Chamberlain, Leader of the Programme, said (Lancashire Telegraph):

“The advisory team is trained to show businesses from around East Lancashire how to use high-speed broadband to improve the way they operate, to boost productivity and streamline the way they connect with customers, staff and suppliers.”

The University of Central Lancashire (Preston) will be holding three pilot workshops on Tuesday 7th May and Wednesday 8th May 2013, which will cover cloud computing, digital marketing, video conferencing, collaborative working and customer management. The first seminars will then take place in June 2013 and a Business Support Centre will open in the summer on Lancashire Business Park (Leyland).

It’s important to stress that nearly all of the related Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) schemes will be conducting similar efforts to encourage businesses to get the most out of the new connectivity.