Delivered across the Tay Cities Region, Empower: Digital was designed to bridge the digital skills gap by providing tailored, fully funded support to individuals, employees, and small business owners.

Spanning multiple delivery formats – including 1-to-1 mentoring, a 12-week digital development programme, and a large-scale learning event – Empower: Digital supported a wide range of participants to grow in confidence and capability across digital tools, strategies, and decision-making.

Empower: Digital was open to anyone living or working in the Tay Cities Region – including Dundee, Angus, Northeast Fife, Perth and Kinross.

Participants included:

• Small business owners looking to strengthen their operations
• Employees upskilling in digital tools to enhance their roles
• Sole traders and entrepreneurs embracing digital-first approaches
• Individuals entering or re-entering the workforce with renewed confidence

The flexible structure meant people could take part in the areas that suited them most — from short bursts of expert advice to in-depth learning journeys.

Empower: Digital brought together practical digital training and hands-on support for people and businesses looking to build confidence, unlock opportunity, and make better use of digital tools.

The programme offered:

• 1-to-1 SME Digital Support

Participants worked with experienced specialists to assess their needs and received up to 7 hours of personalised guidance to address digital skills challenges within their business.

• 12-Week Digital Skills Programme

  Through a blend of in-person and online sessions, this programme delivered focused learning around essential and advanced digital tools, from data literacy to marketing, automation, and innovation.

• One-Day Digital Learning Event

This flagship event gathered expert speakers and a regional audience for an interactive day exploring the role of data and digital skills in today’s economy — with space to learn, connect, and collaborate.

The need for digital confidence and capability has never been greater. For individuals, it unlocks better opportunities and sharper decision-making. For businesses, it builds resilience and creates space for growth.

Empower: Digital recognised that everyone starts from a different place – and created space for tailored support that felt practical, useful, and achievable.

By removing financial barriers and offering accessible learning across the region, the programme helped participants build digital foundations that will continue to support them long after the programme ended.