Learning Communities Catalyst

1. Title: What is/was the initiative?

INKIT project - (Information, Networks and Knowledge about Information Technology). To deliver free computer training to the local community and then maintain sustainability through the creation of a computer club, newsletter, and email learning circle that will exist indefinitely beyond the life of the training. Delivered in Stanthorpe during 2005.

2. Where is/was it?

Delivered at Learning Network Queensland Stanthorpe Centre funded through Community Development Services Inc. with funds sourced from the Technology Survival Skills Programme.

3. When was it?

Start Date April 7th 2005 - expected completion late June 2005

4. What is/was it about?

As for Q 1

5. What type of initiative is/was it?

Project

6. Who is/was the 'driver' of the initiative?

Learning Network Queensland and Community Development Services Inc.

7. Which stakeholders are/were involved?

State Government - Department of Public works through Technology Survival Skills Programme, Learning Network Queensland, Community Development Services Inc.

8. How is/was the initiative resourced?

State Government - Department of Public works funded training through Technology Survival Skills Programme.

9. What did the initiative seek to achieve?

To provide basic computing skills to the community and the tools to maintain sustainability of those skills while simultaneously reaching an ever increasing number of community members through the computer club, newsletter and email learning circle indefinitely beyond the life of the course.

10. How is/was it carried out?

The Granite Belt ICT Learning Project team acknowledged that there are now many organisations delivering ICT training; but few of these are designed specifically to meet the needs of people who have previously been disadvantaged in their access to ICT training and fewer still who look carefully at how newly acquired ICT skills can be sustained once participants have left the classroom. The projects' plan was to address these issues so that tangible benefits could be achieved in the lives of all those who participate as well as reaching out into the wider community beyond the term of the original project. This was achieved through the delivery of 4 units of ICT based training workshops as follows:

<ol>

Operate a personal computer ICAITU128A

Operate a word processing application ICAITU129A

Send and retrieve information over the internet using browsers and email ICAITU133A

Sustaining Your ICT Skills - Where to From Here?

</ol>

These units were delivered to small groups of community members drawn from the identified categories of access disadvantage with training provided by highly qualified personnel utilising the extensive resources available locally within organisations who have proven success in delivering ICT training.

Units 1-3 not only provided participants with valuable ICT skills and knowledge but also allowed them to achieve competency towards an industry standard qualification; the Certificate I in Information Technology. Units 1-3 have been selected for delivery as a result of local community members consistently identifying these units as having the most benefit for use in their everyday lives.

Unit 4, &quot;Sustaining Your ICT Skills - Where To From Here?&quot;, drew on a unique additional benefit built into the 3 preceding units. The classroom activities worked through by participants whilst undertaking units 1-3 lead to, in unit 4, the design and publication of a computing newsletter; formation of a computer club and participation in a supportive website. The careful planning of these activities enabled participants to not only gain the ICT skills and achieve formal qualifications but also come to understand the &quot;real life&quot; applications of these skills. A major outcome of the project was that the participants themselves have been responsible for the development of ICT initiatives that will benefit the local community far beyond the original workshops; &quot;learning while doing&quot; and achieving &quot;real-world&quot; success along the way.

11. What did it achieve? What could be done differently?

The delivery of these 4 ICT units and their inclusive benefits ensured the capacity of the project to enhance the ICT skills of people who were previously disadvantaged in access to such training and supported them in transferring their newly learned skills and knowledge to real-life situations.

There were many tangible benefits for people who undertook the training:

• Formal Qualification. On successful completion of the 3 units taken from the Certificate I in Information Technology, participants received a formal qualification in each of these units. They were then able to include this qualification in their resumes in attestation of proven skills and/or use them to go on to further study at a higher level. The qualification also proves ability to complete study for the consideration of prospective employers or educational facilities
• ICT Skills. The ICT skills themselves taught during the project have many tangible benefits for participants in their individual lives. These benefits can be separated into two distinct applications: Using ICT in Everyday Life, and, the Earning Power of ICT.
• ICT in Everyday Life. The 4 ICT unit's chosen have extensive applications in the lives of individual participants. From maintaining contact with family and friends, to accessing previously difficult services or empowering themselves with information and the ability to undertake their own computing tasks, the benefits are able to reach into every corner of the participants' lives.
• Earning with ICT. This focus emphasised the potential of ICT to increase the employability and earning power of participants. The use of computers has become imperative for job applicants and small business operators alike in order to perform daily tasks. From volunteering to managerial positions prospective employees will be expected to have some computer skills. The delivery of a unit in word-processing allowed participants to directly increase their chances of securing employment by gaining the ability to design a professionally presented resume and covering letter. Word-processing can also assist people wanting to go into their own business ventures by giving them the confidence to undertake such tasks as letter writing, designing business documents and promotional material The use of email has become an integral part of any business environment. Regardless of whether participants hope to gain employment in the hospitality industry, the retail industry or a local office, the use of email would be considered vital. The internet is a powerful tool for searching out job and business opportunities; for locating information on how to best improve your chances of a successful job application or business venture and even for gaining valuable information on a prospective employing company. In addition to this, having internet skills is a valuable asset on any resume
• Networks. The integrated strategies of the project allowed participants to develop valuable, durable networks that will significantly add to the capacity of human and social capital in the Granite Belt community. Participants benefited from interaction in the training workshops, participation in publication of the newsletter and membership of the computer clubs. They also benefited from the existing local networks within such organisations as the Learning Centre and Community Development Services who provide information on local services and opportunities that participants may have otherwise been unaware.

12. What information supports this experience?

• Successful completion of training
• Successful formation of computer club exceeding expectations
• Successful formation of email learning circle
• Successful creation of newsletter
• Positive evaluations by participants and all parties involved