Scottish Enterprise Awards 2021

20 | Scottish Enterprise Awards 2021 market, estimated to be worth around $370 billion, and external training contributes to approximately 10% of that figure. SkillSeeder has plans to tackle both sectors, however, its main focus is on developing its external branch first. SkillSeeder is now home to over 3,000 courses from accredited training providers and amateur skill sharers. Cultivating a strong social media presence, SkillSeeder has made use of integrated marketing communications campaigns, and consequentially, it has seen an influx of visitors to its website. Indeed, going forward, SkillSeeder continues its growth as it builds its supply. It also hopes to further focus on green skills and training, and is currently in the process of bringing sustainable training providers onboard. Contact: Kerry Cowan Company: SkillSeeder Ltd. Web Address: www.skillseeder.com Born from an innovative government challenge, SkillSeeder aims to bridge the gap between training providers and skill seekers. SkillSeeder provides an array of unique courses from art to organic farming and makes use of technology to offer both online and in-person classes, which further increases access to education tools in the rural areas of Scotland. Having launched in Spring 2021, SkillSeeder creates a variety of opportunities to develop, learn, and share skills. Whether it’s Art and Design, Maths, or English, the skill sharing marketplace is a one-stop-shop for thousands of training courses across a variety of sectors. Through focusing on rural communities in Scotland, SkillSeeder hopes to provide increased access to training and, in turn, further encourage people to upskill. Created as a result of the CivTech 5.0 challenge, which invited people to solve the skill sharing issue in Scotland, SkillSeeder was backed by Lantra and the Scottish Government. The award-winning platform for online and in- person training provides thousands of unique courses. Its advanced digital interface connects its users with a variety of training providers through tailoring the search to the user’s requirements. As a result, SkillSeeder helps the client to book the perfect course, making it safe and easy for skills to be shared. Furthermore, professional skill sharers or amateur experts can undertake a streamline process in order to list their workshops and courses. All they have to do is create their course and wait for SkillSeeder to approve it, from there, they can manage their bookings and create a steady income stream. Ultimately, SkillSeeder removes the barrier to learning through transgressing the limits of location and flexibility by creating courses as and when they are needed. Cofounded by four technically minded, highly professional individuals who are leaders in their respective fields, SkillSeeder was set up for success from the start. Simon Rigden and David Ritchie, highly regarded software engineers, Kerry Cowan, a marketing expert, and James Ritchie, with a commercial and business development vision, aimed to fill the growing gap in the skill sharing market. Each team member offered their own unique experiences and expertise and, in order to bring their solution to life, they worked effectively as a team. Best Computer Software Marketplace 2021 In turn, SkillSeeder flourished, benefiting from the team’s dedication to its cause. Not only does it pride itself on its close-knit team, but together they believe in building a greener future and have placed a company-wide focus on sustainability. Prioritising the planet’s health, SkillSeeder has pledged to plant 1,200 trees to offset its team’s carbon emissions. In addition, SkillSeeder has implemented a ‘Work From Home Forever’ policy, with the hopes that it will benefit its staff and the environment. Believing that Scotland is the perfect place to establish their business, SkillSeeder plays into Scotland’s reputation for innovation and digital initiatives. Home to a broad range of community locations and a variety of highly skilled professionals, Scotland was the perfect place for SkillSeeder to grow. It promptly grew into a serious competitor within the skill sharing industry, joining the expanding worldwide market and featuring in national press. Skill sharing and training has a substantial global Oct21400