WHY PARTNER WITH DIGITAL GUM

Proven Delivery with Heart

Our Track Record

10+ Years in Berkshire
We've been delivering digital skills training in Reading since 2014. We know the local employment landscape.

Part of The Curious Academy
We're partners with The Curious Academy, a Community Interest Company focused on skills development and social impact.

Small Business Background
We're not a large training provider. We're small business owners who teach because we care about our community.

Real-World Experience
Our instructors have run businesses, hired people, and understand what employers actually want.

Charity Connections
 Strong relationships with local charities who benefit from participant projects - creating genuine community value.

Participant-Centred
 We measure success by employment outcomes and participant confidence, not just completion rates.

Our Approach

What We Bring

Expertise:

  • Digital skills instruction (websites, social media, content, SEO)

  • Confidence-building pedagogy

  • Adult learning best practices

  • Employability skills development

  • Small group facilitation

Infrastructure:

  • Professional learning space in Reading

  • All necessary software and tools

  • Materials and resources

  • Assessment frameworks

  • Tracking and reporting systems

Partnerships:

  • Local charity network

  • Employer connections

  • Referral pathways

  • Support services linkages

Flexibility:

  • Adaptable delivery models

  • Custom cohort sizes

  • Tailored reporting

  • Responsive to funder needs

COMMISSIONING PROCESS

How to Work With Us

Step 1: Initial Consultation

  • Discuss your unemployment challenges

  • Review participant demographics

  • Understand your outcomes requirements

  • Explore delivery options

Step 2: Proposal Development

  • Customized programme proposal

  • Delivery timeline

  • Budget and pricing

  • Outcomes framework

  • Reporting structure

Step 3: Contract Agreement

  • Service level agreements

  • Safeguarding and compliance

  • Data sharing protocols

  • Payment terms

  • Review mechanisms

Step 4: Programme Setup (4-6 weeks)

  • Participant recruitment support

  • Venue confirmation

  • Materials preparation

  • Charity partner engagement

  • Instructor briefing

Step 5: Delivery & Reporting

  • Programme delivery

  • Regular progress updates

  • Issue resolution

  • Ongoing communication

Step 6: Evaluation & Next Steps

  • Final outcomes report

  • Participant case studies

  • Lessons learned

  • Options for continuation

Research Supporting Our Approach

Structured Social Learning:

  • Higher completion rates than isolated online learning

  • Better employment outcomes from group-based programmes

  • Social support reduces mental health barriers to employment

Digital Skills for Employability:

  • Digital literacy increasingly essential across all sectors

  • Transferable skills (teamwork, communication) matter more than technical knowledge for entry-level roles

  • Portfolio projects demonstrate capability to employers

Confidence & Self-Efficacy:

  • Self-belief predicts job search behavior and success

  • Completing meaningful projects builds self-efficacy

  • Social comparison in supportive groups enhances confidence

Routine & Structure:

  • Regular attendance builds employment-ready habits

  • Loss of routine is known barrier to re-employment

  • Structured programmes mimic workplace expectations

READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Commission a Programme That Works

Start Changing Lives
 Let's discuss your unemployment challenges and how our programme might help.

Book A Consultation Call