The Omniversity is a unique series of professional training courses led by some of the sharpest minds and most cutting-edge practitioners in digital and future-looking sectors in the country.

“It’s about giving you the edge in the skills that will be in demand next year, providing insider information in where digital platforms are headed, and connecting you with others developing those skills” said Dave Mee from Omniversity.

The courses will range from professional development and cutting edge practices to more esoteric skills. Whether it’s learning about Arduinos and the Internet of Things, mobile platform development for SAP, Android or iPad development best practices, the Omniversity will have a course to help people upskill and develop abilities which will make them stand out in the workplace and open new opportunities.

“The MadLab has spent over a year building up the country’s largest network of like minded technologists, engineers, developers, creatives, artists and alpha geeks” said Hwa Young, from MadLab. “We’ve already helped create new employment in the city through our regular evening programmes and we’re building on this to create training based not on academic models but practical and commercial lead experiences and insight.”

The line-up of programme leaders includes published O’Reilly authors, maintainers of core Arduino libraries, award-winning international VJs, co-founders of WordPress, and HTML5 thought-leaders. “It’s a wide-ranging mix” said Dave “but we know nowhere else where you can spend a few days learning from people at the top of their field for the same price as a day trip.”

The first Omniversity course, Beginners Guide to Arduino & Physical Computing, is on the 10th of February 2011. It is a one day intensive course, and the £120 fee includes lunch as well as digital course materials and an Arduino board with all necessary components.

Like all other Omniversity courses, each attendee will be connected to the Omniversity’s dedicated social network with the other people from the class where they can continue peer-lead learning.

Other courses coming up in the next few months include Films from the Edge, an experimental short film course lead by Maria Ruben, and “The Internet of Things” lead by Adrian McEwan.

More information

The course listings are regularly updated at http://omniversity.madlab.org.uk/calendar/ and bookings can be made at http://omniversity.madlab.org.uk/booking/.

You can also follow the Omniversity on Twitter.

A permanent desk is only £200 a month, sign up before 21 January and get £50 off your first month’s rent.

You get to work amongst other freelancers and entrepreneurs in an exciting space and building (MadLab) with free teas and coffees! Being a co-working and collaboration space will present all sorts of opportunities to get and give help and to partner on exciting projects.

If you’re interested in a permanent desk with us you’re welcome to come in for a free day to see if our space suits you, so email info@flythe.coop to arrange your visit or to find out more.

For more information visit flythe.coop

Cost is £65 which includes a starter kit from Oomlout containing all the bits you need to get going including the Arduino board itself.

Attendees will need to bring a laptop, and if they like some lunch (although there are plenty of places nearby if not). Prior computer programming experience would be desirable but not essential and we will aim to accommodate everyone, regardless of their skill levels or confidence.

We really hope that you’ll come down and check this out – we’ve kept the costs as low as we can, to give more people the chance to get involved!

Venue: MadLab
Date & Time: 26th February 2010 – 10am – 4pm

To book, click here for the Eventbrite booking page

For more information visit the MadLab website

Register for this event online

Please register for this free event so we can make sure you get the most out of it.

About this event

If you are a voluntary or community sector organisation, freelancer or creative who would like to know more about “digital technology” and how it can help your work or your organisation it can sometimes be difficult to know where to go for advice and support.

Yet Manchester has a wide range of digital communities – from programmers, to social media specialists to digital content producers – who meet up regularly to share good practice.

Connecting 2.0 Communities is a pilot event to give anyone in the not-for-profit sector an opportunity to meet these digital communities – many of whom are happy to provide free advice and support, and would like to work more with community groups.

What you will find out

At this free to attend “drop in” event there will be an opportunity to :-

• get a one-to-one advice session about your own particular digital needs
• find out more about Manchester’s many “user groups” and informal meet-ups
• hear short introductions about key topics such as developing a Wordpress website, and using social media.

Where and when does it take place?

The event takes place on Wednesday 17th February from 2.00-6.30pm at the MadLab (Manchester Digital Laboratory), at 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HN, in the Northern Quarter (opp. Common Bar) Drop in any time after 2.00 – either stay for a short time, or stay all afternoon.

There will be food and drinks provided, and though you don’t need to book it will help us with numbers – and help identify who might be best for you to speak to – if you register at our online registration.

Who will be attending?

We’ll have more details soon but here’s a taster.

• Manchester Digital Development Agency, offering advice and support on all aspects of digital Manchester
• Madlab, find out about this new “community space” for digital working
• Speak to a Geek, get technical support from digital experts
• Social Media Cafe & Social Media Surgeries, find out more about these regular groups to help you use the social media more effectively
• Lets Go Global – &  other digital organisations, learn more about what organisations there are that can help you out.

Need to find out more?

For more information contact Adrian Slatcher:

• Email: a.slatcher@manchesterdda.com
• Phone: 0161 241 8207 or 0161 255 8111

Find out more about MadLab.

Who has organised it?

This event is funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund and run on behalf of Manchester City Council. It has been organised by Manchester Digital Development Agency in partnership with MadLab. Many thanks to all the digital organisations who have agreed to attend to make this event happen.