I often think the most useful thing about conferences and training days is not so much the speakers, but the interaction with other delegates! It's always hugely striking how similar the challenges and best practices are, even across completely different sectors.

The Digital Inclusion Wales event lived up to this expectation. The speakers I saw (and I still intend to watch some of the ones I missed on the recording of the sessions) were excellent but the best part was the contributions and questions and discussion with the delegates, both in person (over the excellent buffet!) and via the 'backchannel' of an active Twitter stream.

The conference was opened by the Deputy Minister for Science, Lesley Griffiths, who summarised the importance of digital inclusion and why it is an Assembly priority. Questions were then fielded by Alun Burge from the Digital Inclusion Unit.

The keynote speech was delivered by Marc Osten, and in keeping with the digital theme was done from New York, via Skype (fairly seamlessly). Its online so I won't say too much about it, other than to mention again the enthusiasm which marked the whole event.

Choosing which of the varied seminars to attend was a challenge (there were four across the two days), but I'd opted for:

• "Digital Storytelling" (presented by the George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling),
• "Using the Social web for Competitive Advantage" (presented by the super-keen team from MediaSnackers
• "Masterclass with Robert Ashton"
• "ICT and Financial Inclusion"

The first three of these are all on the video feed and can be seen for yourselves so I'll just mention the Financial Inclusion one which was presented jointly by the North Wales Credit Unions and representatives from the Consumer Financial Education Body. I was particularly taken with the CFEB funded websites: Money Made Clear and What About Money which are absolutely packed full of resources such as calculators, budgeting tools, financial products comparisons and advice as handouts, podcasts and videos. Can't wait to use some of them with our numeracy learners!

Overall it was a fascinating day -- I look forward to seeing what changes will be developed by the next one happens in two years time!

How can ITeC help?

Looking at our own role in the digital inclusion wider scheme of things...

We can offer customised training to enterprises and organisations wanting to up their IT Skills or get some advice on using blogs, twitter and other Web 2 .0technologies to enhance learning and business operations.  We use Moodle and blogs extensively with our own learners and have delivered successful course on Best Practice in using ICT in Basic Skills training as well as presenting at conferences and the Wales Moodle User Group Meet.

ICT Apprentices and Skillbuild Youth

Taking on one of our Skillbuild Youth learners or Modern Apprentices can be an excellent way of getting free ICT expertise into your organisation.  We provide the training, you provide the support and encouragement for a young person looking to develop their career.

Contact us to discuss the possibilities