MORE than 900 digital skill badges have been awarded to learners in Bradford in the first year of a career skills programme.

Bradford was the first northern location to be accepted onto the Cities of Learning scheme, in March 2022.

The programme, which was developed by the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) and is led by the council’s Employment and Skills Service, SkillsHouse, aims to work with organisations to identify workplace skills and gaps and create digital skills badges.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

These badges recognise individual achievements outside traditional qualifications and aim to connect local people to training and work-related opportunities.

In the first 12 months, 14 different providers have created 84 badges and, as a result, more than 900 badges have already been awarded.

A celebration event was hosted at Bradford City Hall last Tuesday, where employers and educators came together with SkillsHouse and partners to discuss the benefits of the programme.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Attendees at the event were also able to listen to young people talk about the positive impact gaining a digital badge has had on them and how they intend to use them in the future.

One young person said: “Badges are easy to earn and we’re already doing the hard work.

“It’s just finally being recognised to help get the jobs we want.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now Employers, educators and learners came together at a celebration event for the Cities of Learning scheme in Bradford, which has been running for a year now (Image: Telegraph & Argus)