GRŴP Llandrillo Menai (GLLM) has put in action a number of measures to increase digital inclusion amongst all students and staff.

The newly published 'Digital Entitlement Statement' aims to make sure that all learners can access courses digitally and remotely through the provision of equipment and connectivity.

It also addresses how the Grŵp will provide training and support for staff to deliver programmes and services digitally.

With the organisation allocating £1.5million per year to digitally support learners and staff, many initiatives have already been rolled out.

These include the installation of classroom cameras, extensive training in digital teaching and learning, significant investment in mobile technology and devices to support digital learning in college and at home, and development of excellent vocational digital learning packages.

Welsh Government funding has allowed the Grŵp to make digital devices and MiFis available to learners to enable remote learning and self-study.

More than 1,000 chrome books have been lent to learners in each of the last two academic years.

The Grŵp’s e-resource usage has increased from just under 20,000 in 2015-16 to 204,000 in 2020/21.

It is not only the highest user of e-books out of all the Further Education colleges in Wales, but is also amongst the highest in the UK.

GLLM Chief Executive Dafydd Evans explained: "Covid-19 has fundamentally changed the way we deliver education opportunities to learners.

"More strands of college life are becoming ‘digital by default’ and learners are increasingly going online to communicate, to access information about their courses, and access support.

"This transformation offers learners a more intuitive, accessible and responsive service delivery.

“However, the successful delivery of online courses and support services relies on the ability of learners to access and interact with them in ways that suit their needs."

North Wales Pioneer: Students access computers on a GLLM campusStudents access computers on a GLLM campus

The Digital Entitlement Statement enables learners from all levels the chance to prosper within education settings, including those that are digitally excluded such as those with specific learning needs or those who live in areas of deprivation who require support.

Mr Evans added: "The increasing reliance on digital technology not only requires learners to be able to connect to the internet and have access to appropriate devices.

“It also means that they will need to utilise specific digital skills in order to get online and take part in their courses.

"Through the achievement of the actions included in our Digital Entitlement Statement, we want to lead the way in addressing some of the demographic inequalities and make sure that all learners and staff have the same opportunity to interact with our courses and services digitally."