About Digital Skills Training CIC
Who we are
We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) whose aim is to have a lasting positive impact on the prospects for learners across the region. You can read a little about our friendly team below.
As a social enterprise, our mission is to benefit local communities – inspiring and empowering, personally and professionally, through our training.
What we do
We deliver dynamic, face-to-face digital skills training that fits around learners and their existing framework of skills, knowledge, character and aspirations.
Workshops are hosted at Digital Skills Training HQ or, with some logistics planning, we can come to your place of learning.
In-person is our preferred way to teach. That said, in light of recent events we also offer face-to-face online training via video call.
For specifics on our training, please take a look at our courses page. If you have a project that you would like to apply our training to – for example, a small business website, school wayfinding system or wall art for an organisation – please get in touch.
Who’s it for?
As well as providing training to individuals who want to develop their own digital skills, we also deliver group training – working alongside organisations such as:
- local community groups
- local businesses
- local education authorities (LEAs)
- employment-support services.
Simon Paterson
simon@digital-skills.training
Simon has been immersed in graphic design since designing flyers in his late teens and his first proper job at the Halifax Evening Courier. It makes him feel old when he remembers that QuarkXPress was still a mainstream option for graphic design at that time.
Since 2010 he’s been running a micro design agency called SiPat.inc and working closely with Raise the Youth Foundation CIC.
In case you’re wondering, Simon is Joanna’s brother and they team up at Digital Skills Training for the first time in the world of work!
Rebecca Kinnard
rebecca@digital-skills.training
Rebecca has been a member of Europe’s largest worker-owned cooperative Suma Wholefoods for over 15 years and has experience in marketing, communications and events. More recently she has moved into HR and is dedicated to supporting and developing people to reach their full potential.
She is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and has a passion for diversity and inclusion. Rebecca is a member of the CIPD and people strategy and wellbeing is at her heart.
Outside of work she can be found exploring the countryside with her two small children, or dancing round the kitchen cooking vegan treats.
Joanna Paterson
joanna@digital-skills.training
Joanna has over 12 years’ experience in project management across various sectors. Her past work includes software deployment for the NHS, and training, planning and coordination for an equality and diversity company.
She currently works as a Programme Lead at Arbor Education in Leeds, deploying software to schools and colleges around the UK.
Joanna loves to travel, a couple of years back she volunteered on a farm in Norway to look after their sheep, horses and chickens for a month. She also has a scuba diving qualification and a cat called Jon Snow who can do a high five on demand!
Chris Riley
chris@digital-skills.training
Chris learned his trade in busy creative studios both in London and the north.
He has managed content for some major brands, including Sony, HSBC, Canon and Lloyds Banking Group.
Well-travelled, with walking in the beautiful Calder Valley always high on the agenda, Chris also likes to kick back to his ever-growing collection of jazz and global vinyl.