Librariesoffer free computer training to jobless

(CNS): As government continues its battle to get local people back to work in the face of rising unemployment, the Library Service has launched a computer training programme. Already available at the George Town and West Bay libraries, the basic computer skills courses will also be taught at the Bodden Town and North Side branches. The course is free to those registered with the National Work Force Development Agency but costs $10 for others. It lasts eight weeks. with one and a half hours of class per week. Library Services Director Ramona Melody said the goal was to help people find work.

“The Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs has charged the Public Library Service with the responsibility to develop as a learning partner for the community, providing point-of-need learning opportunities within the various districts,” she said. “This is one such programme we are offering to meet that goal. Providing community members with opportunities to learn computer basics will assist their ability to secure employment, enter educational institutions and access consumer information.

“Our goal this year is to teach Introduction to computer basics courses three times at George Town and twice at West Bay. We would also like to teach the course at the BoddenTown branch twice, but, it will be dependent on the number of computers available,” she added.

An introduction to computers the course includes training in Microsoft (MS) Windows operation and Windows Internet Explorer. Other topics are to include: interface, editing and formatting in MS Word, as well as the Internet and email.
 
Robert Geofroy, who teaches at the University of West Indies Open Campus will lead the course at the West Bay library.  All other locations will be co-instructed by Library Services Director Ramona Melody and Librarians Deborah Powery-Zureigat and Terri McLaughlin.

The course is available to all residents and is offered at a nominal fee of ten dollars to cover the use of supplies.  As there is a limit of eight spaces per course, registration and payment are required to secure a seat.

This program is also available at no-charge to registered members of the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA). For more information please visit your local library or the library website at www.cipl.gov.ky or call 345-949-5159 (George Town), or 345-949-7659 (West Bay).