Unlocking Potential, part of The Cornwall College Group, and Software Cornwall, a cluster of Cornish digital-tech companies, have partnered to create the Digital Transformation, a scheme aimed at enabling transformation for Cornwall business through the use of the latest technologies.

The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and will look to enable further growth in Cornwall’s already flourishing digital technology sector.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies, both in Cornwall and across the country, have been forced to take a more ‘digital first’ approach to their business as social media and the internet have become the main way in which customers find services during lockdown.

Unlocking Potential’s Programme Director, Allyson Glover, said: “This is such an exciting programme for us to be launching.

“There’s no getting away from the challenges faced by Cornish businesses in the last 12 months; Digital Transformation could hardly be better timed or more topical.

“We have all had to change how we work, think differently, learn new skills, innovate and embrace change.

“We know businesses are ready to adapt and take up the opportunity to explore how they can take digitisation to the next level and ultimately transform.””

Justin Olosunde, Assistant Principle External Engagement & Business Innovation at The Cornwall College Group, said: “Digital Transformation, and the agenda that it represents, is absolutely fundamental to the growth within the economy locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

“As a large skills provider, we want this project to create the environment that enables the market to develop and helps people cultivate the new skills they need to allow their collaboration within the digital economy to flourish.”

he scheme will also hold workshops on new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the ‘internet of things’ as a way to showcase how these innovations can be harnessed and put to use for business.

Mike Barritt, Director of Software Cornwall said: “It’s no secret that the Cornish tech cluster is growing at exponential rates, but digital transformation isn’t just reserved for tech companies, it’s pivotal to the success of any business, which should be structured to adapt quickly in changing markets and have products, services and internal systems that flex with these changes.

“Software Cornwall is delighted to be supporting the Digital Transformation programme that will enhance and grow the collaboration between digital and non-digital businesses thus enabling scalability and increased market reach to provide a positive impact on the Cornish economy.”

To find out more about the scheme, visit: www.digital-cornwall.co.uk