A support programme that has helped thousands of Scottish SMEs enhance their digital skills has been shortlisted for its third major award this year.

DigitalBoost, delivered by Business Gateway in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise on behalf of Digital Scotland, has been nominated for the Public Sector award in the Herald Scottish Digital Business Awards 2017.

In addition, Business Gateway National Unit Marketing Manager, Jacqueline MacDougall, has secured a finalist place in the Digital Professional of the Year category for her work on both Business Gateway and the DigitalBoost programme.

The shortlist announcement comes on the back of previous award nominations for the programme. In June DigitalBoost was named as a standout programme in the UK-wide Digital Leaders 100 initiative, and in the same month picked up a finalist nomination in the Connect Innovate category in the Holyrood Connect Awards.   

Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at the Business Gateway National Unit which sits within COSLA said: "Digital technology is transforming the way we all do business and DigitalBoost is at the heart of this process in Scotland. Over the last 18 months DigitalBoost has helped thousands of SMEs improve their digital knowledge and skills and I am delighted that the programme has been recognised with these prestigious award nominations."

Sally Loudon, Chief Executive of COSLA said:  "This is a Digital programme which is delivered by Local Government, and it is fantastic that Local Government is leading the way with innovative services for businesses throughout Scotland. 

"It gives me great pleasure and immense pride to see DigitalBoost recognised in this way. "I would also like to say very well done to Jacqueline MacDougall who finds herself up for an individual award, well deserved recognition for her work with the DigitalBoost programme and Business Gateway."

Since launching in February 2016, DigitalBoost has delivered a programme of free support – including online tutorials and guides, digital health checks, one to one advice and a comprehensive workshop programme – that has helped Scottish SMEs enter new markets, trade internationally and increase business efficiencies.   

More than 1,200 workshops have been held across Scotland with over 8,500 attendees benefiting from the free half-day seminars. The programme has also delivered over 500 1-2-1 support sessions of up to 21 hours with digital experts, while 3,587 people registered for an online healthcheck and 9,500 downloaded DigitalBoost guides.  

In March 2017, the Scottish Government extended the programme’s funding for another year, allowing Business Gateway to continue to help Scotland’s SMEs flourish in the digital world. 

The Herald Scottish Digital Business Awards 2017 will take place in Glasgow on Thursday, October 19, 2017.

Find out more about the DigitalBoost programme on Business Gateway's website.