IT-skills project targets jobless

Citation

(2001), "IT-skills project targets jobless", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443gab.002

IT-skills project targets jobless

IT-skills project targets joblessKeywords: Information technology, Skills, Unemployment

A customised training and lifelong learning project in Greater Manchester is using the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) as the industry-standard qualification for PC-skills learning, targeting local unemployed adults who are, or will be, seeking employment or opportunities that will lead them on to further learning. A survey carried out in two areas of Greater Manchester by Employment and Regeneration Partnership (ERP), one of the partner groups which manage the project, showed high unemployment rates and low self-esteem, with the result that the people living in these areas were falling behind in terms of academic achievement.

One regional IT centre to address this is Bolton Curriculum ICT Centre, which has chosen ECDL as the vehicle for the delivery of a computer qualification, which is financed by a Single Regeneration Partnership Budget (SRB) grant. Ron Jones, training access co-ordinator with the partnership, employed by ERP, explained: "We are working in the community with the main aim to help people to gain access to learning easily, wherever it is required. We have groups that meet regularly in residents' association premises and, for those who do not own a PC, laptops are loaned. Child care facilities are provided for those who require them." He continued: "There has been real enthusiasm from the people in our region to embrace ICT skills. We have even set up an after-school club in one area so that parents can attend our ECDL courses."

Meanwhile, 56 employees at Royal Liver Assurance are the first from the organization to have successfully gained the European Computer Driving Licence. Royal Liver decided to run a pilot scheme of the ECDL qualification last summer when it was looking for an organizational standard in IT that would enable its employees to refresh and improve upon their overall PC efficiency at work. It was felt that ECDL matched this requirement perfectly. The scheme was supported and delivered by Edge Hill Enterprises, in Lancashire, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Edge Hill College, developing commercial and vocational training. Mike Sampson, Royal Liver Assurance human-resource director, commented: "We are delighted that the ECDL pilot scheme has proved to be so successful and now intend to run ECDL again with further members of staff, rolling out to a third group in November. It is important that our employees are given the opportunity to refresh and improve upon their IT skills, which ultimately reflect a great benefit to Royal Liver and ensure the company's values and good standing are continually maintained."

The ECDL – promoted in the UK by The British Computer Society – was initiated to raise the level of general competence in IT across Europe, to improve the confidence and productivity of IT users and to enable employers to get a better return on IT investment. It provides a framework for people to gain official certification for their current computer skills, while at the same time encouraging them to round off their abilities by learning new skills.