Forus Training has been chosen to partner ICS Skills to provide internet training to 4,500 people around the country to tackle the large number of the population who are ‘digitally excluded’ as part of the Get Ireland Online programme.
The Get Ireland Online programme is part of the BenefIT 3 scheme which has awarded €1.88m for 20 training projects run by community and voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations across Ireland and aims to upskill 40,000 people. As part of this scheme, Forus Training will ensure people are certified with basic IT skills to prevent them from missing out on opportunities most people now take for granted based in Castle House, Castle Street, Mullingar.
Participants will be taught how to make use of the web, send emails, use internet telephone services like Skype, and do shopping and banking online during three two-hour classes. Everybody will benefit from this training, but it is especially suitable for unemployed people, disadvantaged groups, and anyone lacking in basic ICT skills. The Get Ireland Online programme aims to ensure that no one is left behind as the country gets increasingly digitally savvy.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte said: “This important scheme means that 40,000 people will gain from IT training between now and June 2012. The programme is to support those who have not yet gone online.” Summing up the Minister said, “Firstly and most importantly this initiative is about people - not leaving them behind - giving them the opportunity to engage”.
“As more businesses move their services online, serious challenges exist to those who are unable to do the necessary day-to-day activities such as banking online and paying bills,” said Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society. “ICS Skills is committed to promoting digital literacy in Ireland and we are delighted to be able to undertake another project that can enhance the day to day lives of those that feel they are being left behind when it comes to the internet.”
Courses start Tuesday January 24 and cost just €20.
For more information about the course, or to register a place for you or someone who could benefit from this training please contact Forus Training on (044 ) 9349400 or email [email protected].
