Southwark College Brings IT to Silver Surfers

Southwark College is launching a new programme to encourage older adult learners to develop valuable computing skills.

The IT Skills Exchange Project will be offering free training to the over 50’s, which will be delivered within the learners” own communities. The new initiative will comprise specifically tailored Interactive Computer Training (ICT) courses to help older people, who may be unfamiliar with computers, to pick up important IT skills – both for professional and personal enrichment.

ESF Funding Strikes Again

The courses are run by the college and will be partially funded by the government’s training and education body, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the European Social Fund (ESF), who will be contributing £150,000.

The project will be run in partnership with the Peabody Trust and Age Concern. Age Concern supports all people in Britain over the age of 50, campaigning on their behalf and providing day care and information services. The Peabody Trust have a long history of involvement in community regeneration and development projects that aim to improve the lot of those living in the community. They aim to open up opportunities for local people, ranging from schemes for computer training (such as this) through to supporting local groups.

Dan Atkinson