In recent years Jersey has been following a digital-first agenda with the aim of becoming one of the world’s leading digital jurisdictions. The Island’s reputation in the tech space is rapidly growing and after sustained investment and development in the sector, Jersey is proud to say it is the fastest jurisdiction in Europe and the best connected island in the world!

Jersey is striding ahead of other jurisdictions with everyone from global tech firms and successful entrepreneurs to small innovative startups seeing the benefits of the Island and moving to Jersey. The Island is fast becoming a global tech hotspot.

Ranked 3rd in the World Broadband Speed League 2019 behind Taiwan and Singapore, Jersey was the first jurisdiction in the world to make 100% pure 1GB fibre (FTTP) available to every broadband user. The Island also offers three Tier 1 Telecoms Providers each with a 4G network (5G is currently being trialed) as well as two LPWANs (including NBIoT and a LoRa network), IOT lab, digital sandbox and world class data centres.

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On Tuesday 10th September, Jersey’s tech ecosystem added another string to its bow. Alongside the re-opening of their newly refurbished tech co-working and meeting space (the DJ Hub), Digital Jersey, the government-funded body responsible for the development and promotion of the digital, tech and creative industry in Jersey, proudly celebrated the launch of the new Digital Academy – the first of its kind in the Island.

It’s certainly been a busy year for our colleagues at Digital Jersey as this all comes just months after the successful launch their SandBox Jersey initiative and IOT lab at the DJ XChange (read more on DJ XChange and the Island’s tech credentials here)

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Pictured above: (left) Deputy Chief Minister/Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham cutting the ribbon to the newly refurbished Digital Hub, (right) Assistant Minister of Education Deputy Jeremy Macon cutting the ribbon to the new Digital Academy.

Both the re-furbished Digital Hub and Digital Academy were officially opened by the Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Macon and the Deputy Chief Minister and Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham.

Walking around the new spaces in the heart of St Helier, the wonderful design, a mix of modern and industrial styling, combined with state of the art facilities, reinforces just how serious Jersey is about the development of this sector. Just look at some of the pics below!

But what are the Digital Hub and the Digital Academy?

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The Digital Academy is the first of its kind in Jersey, an education facility dedicated entirely to the development and training of digital skills. The courses are designed for both school leavers and for more ‘mature’ students who want to expand and enhance their existing skills. The Digital Leadership Programme (www.digitalleadership.je) can be full or part-time (alongside an in-work apprenticeship), and there are also part-time courses in coding and other areas of digital development.

The programs have been designed by tech industry leaders, namely Target Internet CEO, Daniel Rowles who is also a lecturer at Imperial College and is a certified Google Squared trainer. As a business which relocated to the Island with the support of Digital Jersey and Locate Jersey, Target Internet were able to see first-hand where there were emerging digital skills gaps. As Founders of the Digital Academy, they are bringing 20+ years of industry expertise and contacts to their partnership with Digital Jersey. Their first cohort of students enroll this month!

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The Digital Hub is a co-working, member space developed specifically for Jersey’s tech community. Members can come together to work, learn, share skills and innovate. With a collaborative and energetic environment it is designed so that digital companies and entrepreneurs can thrive and innovate in a modern work space. It is a diverse ‘hub’ of the Jersey tech community, supporting every size of business, with event space, hot desking areas, chill-out spaces, ‘smart’ meeting rooms and private office space to rent for more permanent businesses, there’s a space to suit your needs.

Becoming a member is pretty easy and with different packages there’s something to fit every business; starting with free membership for individuals to monthly fees of £40 for smaller businesses, and larger annual fees for business wishing to take over their own office space ranging from £750–£2000 depending on the number staff and space required.

Jersey is one of very few jurisdictions that can boast such impressive and extensive infrastructure as well as continued Government support for the ongoing and future development of the tech sector. This combined with globally renowned professional service providers, easy access to the UK, Europe and beyond and a work/life balance that is hard to beat, it’s no wonder more and more entrepreneurs and business owners are moving to our beautiful, techy Island.

 

If you want to be part of this movement and establish your business in an island that is speeding past its global competitors, get in contact with Locate Jersey to discuss moving your business to Jersey, email locatejersey@gov.je or call +44(0)1534 440604.

…If you’re not quite there yet but have a great idea for a digital start-up or if you need to test your company’s new digital product, Digital Jersey has Start-up support programs and testbed (SandBox) initiatives. To find out more about these programs, becoming a member of the Digital Hub or for more information about the courses on offer at the Digital Academy you can find more on www.digital.je / www.digitalleadership.je or by calling +44(0)1534 789333.

 

 

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