A practically-minded young man who joined Dorset Council straight from college has now been shortlisted for a prestigious national digital award.
Sam McLaren, is one of the finalists in the ‘Young Digital Leaders’ category of the Digital Leaders 100 Awards. He was selected because of his creative and innovative work with digital technology over the last twelve months.
He first joined Dorset Council when all his friends went off to college. Preferring to take a practical hands-on approach to his career he first joined the IT team where he was able to ‘earn and learn’ and since then he has never looked back.
Now working with his digital team colleagues Sam has helped to create the first ever local government digital podcasts, to much acclaim. They capture discussions on topics including digital skills, robotics, aquaculture, rural connectivity and are providing a new way to hear what’s going on in Dorset and how we can shape its future together. Since the launch, there has been an outpouring of positive feedback with over 400 listeners asking to be part of the next volume.
Sam said: “For me digital is not just about tech or online forms, it’s a way of thinking and working. It allows us to apply fresh thinking to problems. I believe in designing services around the needs of people and making the most of modern technology to provide the services we should expect from a 21st century council.”
Councillor Peter Wharf, Deputy Leader of Dorset Council, said: “As a Council we are committed to using technology and digital solutions to the best effect for the benefit of our customers and the business world. I am very proud that Dorset Council has three finalists in these prestigious national Awards, and would encourage all our Councillors, staff and residents to vote for all three finalists.”
Vote for Sam in the ‘Young Digital Leaders’ category of the Awards here
Vote for Digital skills and awareness and Supporting children and young people in Dorset to access education in the Digital Public Sector Innovation category here:
