RESPONSIBLE business network Business in the Community is urging employers in Northern Ireland to back its campaign to ensure young people have the proper tools for home-learning.
Its Digital Donation Appeal is seeking to provide 10,000 digitally-excluded children with a laptop, desktop or tablet.
A number of big businesses including A&L Goodbody, Allstate NI, Arup, Belfast Harbour, BT, Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Danske Bank, Henderson Group, Heron Bros and Power NI have already thrown their weight behind the initiative.
But BITC managing director Kieran Harding said: “The situation is critical, and it's more important than ever that we plug the digital gap.
“So we're asking for businesses to help young people, the workforce of our future, to get the digital access they deserve.
“By donating devices, data usage or volunteering their time for digital skills support, businesses are making learning from home less of a struggle for families going through a challenging time.”
He added: “The impacts of the pandemic will affect children, families and the economy for years to come.
“But we can all do something to help now - and if every business in Northern Ireland donated just one device, we could support 10,000 young people.”
Businesses can support the appeal (details at www.bitcni.org.uk) through cash donations to help purchase new and repurpose equipment; by donating new devices or ones that can be repurposed (including PCs, monitors, laptops and tablets); or by encouraging staff to volunteer to help support schools with online digital skills support.
