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On 11 January 2010 the UK Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson announced the launch of a pilot IT programme whose objective is to provide adults with online free-of-charge IT courses.
The development of 'Online basics' by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK online centres and government agency Becta shapes part of the Government's response to the Baroness Estelle Morris's Review of ICT User Skills (June 2009). The report recommended support for the 11.6 million adults in England of all ages and all levels of education who do not have basic IT skills to help them become familiar with technology. This complements the Government's national level of 'Home Access' for children in years 3 to 9 (aged around seven to thirteen) also announced on the same day by the Department of Children, Schools and Families.
Online basics will provide beginners with the skills needed in order to get going online. People can do the short, free courses at their own place, either at home if they have a computer and an Internet connection or at a local UK online centre by logging on at the Online basics website.
Online basics include five key modules covering the basics - using a mouse and keyboard, surfing at the Internet and keeping safe online. There is also guidance for people supporting those using the course: from tutors in learning centres to family members helping someone at home. Over the next three months, Online basics will be piloted in the UK online centres of Barnsley, Oldham, Gloucester, Devon and London. Becta will evaluate the courses, expected to be rolled out across England in September 2010.
The Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson stated: "Everyone should be a confident user of the Internet if they are to participate fully in today's digital society. Being online brings a range of personal benefits, including financial savings, educational attainment, improved salary prospects and independent living for older people. Online basics will mean more people accessing vital IT skills, enhancing their working lives and making digital literacy as important a skill as basic literacy and numeracy. We are also investing £30m (approx. €35m) extra in UK online centres to support digital participation, with the aim of getting more than one million people online in the next three years."
Note: Crown copyright material reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.
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