Recreation Office

Government Initiates Schemes for Better Computer Literacy

January 27th, 2010

The use of computers in our day-to-day life is continuously increasing and hence the UK government has announced the launch of a new training programme to provide basic computing skills to its citizens. According to estimates there are nearly 11.3 million people who do not possess basic computing skills. This Online Basics Scheme set up by the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, will teach typing and skills in controlling the mouse along with skills in browsing and emailing.

This course will be available online and free of cost. Interested people having a personal computer and access to the internet can take this course from their respective homes, whereas those who do not can go to the closest online centre to take this course. These online centres have been set up at many places like London, Gloucester, Oldham, Barnsley and Devon. The course has been segmented into five easy-to-follow modules. After successfully completing this course users will be able to use the internet for their personal benefit. The internet will help in education, entertainment and also in getting a better paid job especially in the case of seniors.

The government plans to enrol at least one million computer illiterates within the next three years. In order to increase the use of computers and facilitate the growth towards a digital society, along with this training programme the Government has decided to give laptops and a year’s internet connections free of cost under the Home Access scheme. About 270,000 families with low incomes, will benefit from this scheme.

If you require more information on either broadband or mobile broadband, a good place to check out is the independent consumer website Broadband Genie. They offer information and free advice. It’s a good site to get started on the internet to compare broadband prices and broadband offers from the various ISPs.

Entry Filed under: Best Technology Resources, Consumer Market, Education Online