Digital design scholarship opens to Pacific business professionals

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia has reopened applications to their Digital Design Programme, a partnership with global visual communications platform, Canva.

The scholarship programme provides Pacific business professionals access to the Canva Pro platform for one year, as well as tailored training to enhance their familiarity with the platform and digital designing skills.

PTI Australia’s Communications Manager, Matisse Walkden-Brown, said that with COVID-19 acting as a technological catalyst for businesses and consumers alike, the need to maintain a strong online presence and digital connection has never been greater.

“COVID-19 has had a severe impact on the Pacific private sector and as businesses look to engage more and more in the digital economy, PTI Australia identified a need for better access to digital skills and online tools.

“To cater to this growing need, PTI Australia and Canva joined forces to provide Pacific business with easy to access to the Canva Pro digital design platform, to streamline their marketing efforts, brand assets and more. Unlike many other design options, Canva offers an easy and cost-effective solution to empower businesses in the Pacific who don’t have the resources or funds to access traditional design expertise.

Former participant, CEO and Founder of Insight Business Advisory, Sharyne Fong, says she has seen a 300% increase in new followers on her company’s LinkedIn account since doing the programme.

“Since the PTI Australia x Canva Digital Design programme, I have begun using Canva Pro to design, schedule and promote assets and messaging on my LinkedIn page as required. I have also designed flyers, created presentations, revamped pre-existing material, and even built my entire business brand kit on my own! This consistency in messaging and assets has paid off enormously and has opened up a whole new world of business ideas and opportunities for me.”

The scholarship is open to all business professionals in the Pacific Island Forum countries, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Employer endorsement is required if successful.

Participation in the Digital Design program is free and runs for 12 months, with participants receiving access to Canva Pro, valued at AUD$215.00(US$156), as well as live training sessions conducted via Zoom.

For details of how to apply, visit the PTI site. Applications close March 20.