Community Repairs Its Own Computers

May 20, 2005 -- More and more people are waiting to have the opportunity to get on to Midlothian's newest community computer training course.

This course is a confidence and self esteem boosting course for people who want to learn about using a computer. It teaches people to break a computer, then fix it. It does not require a computer expert, but someone who is interested and wanting to learn. All that is asked is that people have a little mouse control, but not essential.

People think this course involves going inside and removing things. This is not true. People will be shown how to fix the computer without opening it.

Over the two day course people are taught to install Windows into their own computer system. This would normally cost 60 for a computer engineer to do this. People are shown step by step how to do this.

The aim of this training is to educate people to fix their own computer as 85% of computer failure is due to software.

This course is part of a progression route from MARC. The next course after this is the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). This training is recognised in the UK and is a good course for people to learn more about how to use a computer. It is broken down in to sections to enable people to study each section at a time. There may be funding for the ECDL. People must ask at MARC is they are eligible.

People can then study in their own home as the first course gives them the computer system to take home to allow children and adults to use the computer in the home.

MARC is an ECDL and Advanced ECDL Test and training centre and people can take the tests at MARC, they do not have to go to college to sit a test. People do not have to do a test but they can go through the training.

British Computer Society (BCS) chief executive David Clarke said: "It is clear that not everyone is experiencing the benefits of computing, despite the Government's aim to ensure every home has access to a PC. With the deadline fast approaching for all public services to be online, the BCS and general population is challenged with ensuring that everyone has a basic understanding of using the internet and sending email."

Midlothian Advice Resource Centre has joined forces with local social entrepreneur Robert Wilson of MagicWand to carry out this innovates training.

Robert Wilson of MagicWand said" This course is needed in the community as a PC is now not a luxury item, it is a tool for communication and education. There are many people who do not want to touch a computer as they think they will break it.

The average age of the people on the course is 30 and there is a 50/50 split of male and female on the courses. After the course, people take home the computer system to practice. It will not just be them that get to use it, but their family. People will use the computer to find a job, update their CV, send emails, or for education purposes, like studying for college"

These courses are for the communities of Midlothian, East Lothian and Edinburgh. The courses will be run from Dalkeith which is central.

There is now a funding shortage for the 1st Aid 4 PC courses. In the past companies and individuals like International Waste Management Group, Dalkeith Demolition, Midlothian Council Community Education, Sandra Gray have given funds to assist to run courses.

This funding has now stopped as we have run all the courses we can with the funding. We are looking for new companies and organisations that can assist this community training.

If you think you or your company can make a difference please contact us

Please contact Richard Vivian, Project Coordinator of MARC on 0131 663 0400 or Robert Wilson on 01875 822 917

Contact Details
Robert Wilson
MagicWand PR
10 Attlee Crescent
Dalkeith
Midlothian
EH22 5RH
Tel 01875 822 917
Fax 07092 317 443
e-mail protected from spam bots
www.magicwanduk.com
www.weeep.org

This project is working with waste material from businesses in the Edinburgh and Lothian's area. In line with the European WEEE Directive

ECDL is the fastest growing IT qualification in the UK -
Offered by over 400 schools across the UK
Over 50,000 students under 19 have completed or are undertaking ECDL
Approved by the QCA for inclusion in the NQF
Eligible for performance measurement points
Motivational - flexible, modular and hands-on
Relevant to the world of work
Recognised by major employers such as BP, Barclays, Virgin, T-Mobile and many others
Internationally recognised in over 100 countries

The survey found that 62 percent of the UK adult population have never received any formal computer training. Some 54 percent of those questioned complained that they found computers complicated, while 45 percent admitted they felt left behind by the rapid advances in computer technology.

The BCS five years ago introduced the European Computer Driving Licence IT qualification - which has led to over one million candidates registering - while in early 2005 it will launch e-Citizen, aimed at providing individuals new to computers with the basic skills needed to use the internet.

Community Repairs Its Own Computers

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