Gloucestershire College is the first college in the region to launch brand new Level 2 online cyber security and coding short courses, to support local demand for digital skills.

Free to anyone aged 19 and over seeking to upskill, progress or kick-start their career in the industry, the two new courses offer sought-after skills that can be used in both a personal and professional context, in less than four months.

Gloucestershire is set to become the cyber capital of the UK, thanks to the development of Cyber Central in Cheltenham. There has never been a better time to break into an industry that is crying out for candidates to protect the nation from cybercrime, or progress into the digital world using coding skills.

With malicious cybercrime up 600 per cent in the past two years, it is crucial individuals and businesses are able to defend their systems.

GC's cyber security course offers core knowledge covering terminology, legal and ethical aspects of cyber security, common threats and understanding preventative methods to maintain cyber security.

The coding course will enable learners to become a key part of one of the fastest growing industries worldwide - with over 12,000 new jobs being created in Gloucestershire's growing digital sector. Modules cover coding terminology, design principles, processes, testing and project management.

Andy Bates, vice principal and CFO, said: "Gloucestershire College is a key part of the rapidly growing, local cyber ecosystem, and we're delighted to launch these free online short courses to further support our employer partners and individuals to ensure they are future-ready.

"We are seeing increasing numbers of cyberattacks across the region. These can be prevented with some core training for staff, which is free and flexible. We're committed to ensuring Gloucestershire businesses have vital skills needed to grow and keep pace with the rapidly growing digital world."

Both courses are available now on the college's iTrain platform, which enables learners to study online at their own pace around existing commitments, whether that be family, work or hobbies.

iTrain is easy to use and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with full personalised support.

Other free L2 online short courses available at GC include business admin, IT, customer service, equality and diversity, lean organisation management techniques, nutrition and health, understanding autism, understanding children's and young people's mental health and more.

For more information and to apply online visit www.gloscol.ac.uk/digital-courses or email commercialcourses@gloscol.ac.uk.