Computer skills training initiative

Purpose
A learning and development initiative that is in line with points 3 and 5 of VISION 17, the strategic vision plan for the New Seasons church.

Aims
To provide an in-house basic learning skills package for members of the community in the Pill area of Newport that is served by the New Seasons church.

Focus

1. Although no one is excluded from consideration, the project is open to the community but with a presumption towards school leavers and young people of the varying ethnic backgrounds within the Pill community.
2. This project is seen as one that could reach out to people that are perhaps unemployed, not IT literate, or who may want to consider IT as a future avenue of employment.

Project sessions
This project is held on a Wednesday evening each week for a duration of 2 hours, although flexibility shall be built in so as to fit around the needs of our users. The aim of these sessions is to equip students with the basic IT skills needed in the workplace (such as word processing, spreadsheet creation, Internet access basics) as well as a basic knowledge of system administration, such as virus protection.

Desired Outcomes

Corporate

1. To work towards achieving the stated ‘Vision 17’ aim…‘extending grace to our community’.
2. To be a church that ‘matters’ in our community and to be a place of relevance and help.

Customer

1. Attitudes
   More motivation to plan for a better future; Increased awareness of the benefits of the IT environment.
2. Self-perception
   Increase self-confidence; Increase self-esteem.
3. Knowledge and skills
   Increased knowledge of some basic IT skills; Improved job searching options.
4. Relationships
   Better relationships through learning with like-minded individuals; More confidence through close-contact learning.

Monitoring/Evaluation of scheme
Monitoring and evaluation not only measures how well we are doing but also helps us to be more effective at what we are doing.

It allows us to see what does or does not work and will help us to decide if the project should continue.

Funding providers may also want to know how their money is being spent.

We will evaluate by:

1. Regular feed-back from customers.
2. Constantly assessing how we deliver the project.
3. Regular review of our desired outcomes.
4. Learn for other similar initiatives in our community.

For more information and dates of next available course, please contact us on 01633 223576.