EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Football Information Technology: Introducing ICT to SMEs through enthusiasm for football

Football Information Technology: Introducing ICT to SMEs through enthusiasm for football

Introduction

Football Information Technology (FIT) encouraged SMEs in the East Midlands (UK) to take up training in ICT. To attract potential users the project used the popularity and branding of Nottingham Forest Football Club to attract participants. 16 owner managers completed 40 hours of ICT training and integrated the ICT dimension into their businesses. The objective of the project was to engage SMEs in ICT training using a novel location to attract participants. Participants were introduced to eight office applications to demonstrate how ICT could be integrated into and enhance their businesses. The objective was to ensure that the businesses adopted and integrated technology and consequently improved their contribution to economic regeneration in the region.

Description

FIT was delivered by Nottinghamshire Enterprises supported by local partners, including Nottingham Forest Study Support Centre. The difference in this project compared to a conventional ICT training course was in the delivery and the location. Participants managed a football team virtually using their newly acquired ICT skills. They also heard from guest speakers from Nottingham Forest Football Club on how ICT is used in the day to day running of the club. Software designed to engage individuals through the management of a football club was the basis of this project and its innovation. However, it was also innovative in the
following areas:

The demonstration of community learning in a novel setting was proven attracted non-traditional learners;
The software was innovative and specific to this project in that it was based on the management of a football club;
The project was innovative as it used people’s interest in football to develop skills in ICT.

Target group

The FIT project was aimed at the owner/managers of small to medium sized businesses.

Results

This project successfully tested an innovative method of encouraging small business owners/managers to participate in ICT based learning. Feedback from participants on the content and level of the intervention was positive. The use of Nottingham Forest Football ground as a recognisable venue was an important factor in engagement ofparticipants. On-going potential impact from this project is significant as the concept could be widened by targeting rugby and cricket and plans are underway to take it beyond the East Midlands region for piloting in Hungary in connection with a football club there.

Contact info

Nottinghamshire Enterprises
Matthew Bust (Project Manager), tel. +46-845-077 11 10

Project start date

/09/2004

Click here to read a full description of the FIT project (PDF, Eng, 66kB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment

Keywords

Training