Essential Digital Skills

Essential Digital Skills are more important than ever, in the current global circumstances.

In recent months, we have experienced a world where face-to-face communication hasn’t been possible and therefore having a grasp on digital technology and communication is vital to stay connected.

Specifically, important for our adult volunteers, parents and employed staff across the MSSC. Developing these skills is beneficial to us all in our own lives, where the digital way of doing things is becoming the new ‘norm’, but it also helps us to keep units running, and delivering the best cadet experience we can to all our young people and our volunteers. Helping to ease and remove those barriers to learning and delivery is in the forefront of our minds.

So what exactly is the ‘Essential Digital Skills Level 1 Qualification’?

The Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQ) are mapped to national standards for basic digital literacy and are funded by the ESFA for adult learners. Designed to meet digital knowledge gaps within adults, these qualifications will provide vital skills to many.

The qualifications cover five key topics:

Using devices and handling information (Using different types of devices and their benefits)

Creating and editing (Files, Documents, Presentations etc)

Communicating (Social Media, Email etc)

Transacting (Online Banking, payments, direct debits, online purchases, paying for courses)

Being safe and responsible online (Cyber safety and safe use of technology and data protection)

How does it work?

Step 1. Contact us at Digitalskills@ms-sc.org this can be done by you or someone who can assist. The email needs to include your name, contact details and best time to be contacted.

Step 2. We will then call you to discuss your individual requirement and to arrange the initial assessment for suitability for the course.

Step 3. Study at your own pace through online content, inclusive of the 45hours guided learning. Typically, 4-6 weeks to complete, The course includes guided tutorials and modules, online guided study, and skills sessions in preparation for assessment.

Step 4. Upon completion of the course modules, complete a mock assessment.

Step 5. Finally complete the live assessment when you are ready. These are online tests marked by your tutor.

***Every learner achieving a pass mark will receive a national certificate awarded by Gateway Qualifications. ***

Interested? Sound like something that could be of use to you or an adult member of your unit, including parents?

Take the online assessment, by clicking here, and find out if this course is suitable for you. Additional information on accessing and completing the form can be found by clicking here for the word document or here to view as a pdf online.

Registration for this course are opens.

To contact your course tutors please contact: digitalskills@ms-sc.org