Waterford Leader Partnership

Ballymacarbry IT Training:

This project was funded by Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd under the Rural Development Programme.

In 2007,having received part funding from WLP under Leader +  the Ballymacarbry Community Centre successfully completed construction to their local community centre consisting of a hostel, meeting rooms, gym and  an IT Training Room.  Its Training Room consists of 10 individual work stations. In order to effectively utilise their new fully equipped computer training room, the committee approached WLP in November 2008 with a proposal to carry out Computer Training Courses.  The committee recognised that there was a need in their local rural area for individuals to become familiar with and/or improve their computer skills.  Interest in the course came from all ages (most prominently 30 years +) and at all levels.

The I.T. Training was two fold consisting of  an ‘Introduction to Computers’ to cater for those who had never used a computer to ‘Basic Computers’ for those who had a basic knowledge of computers and would like to take their knowledge to the next step.

Thirty-four people in total benefited from the training (plus nine repeats i.e. advancing from beginners to intermediate level).  The majority of these were female rural dwellers aged 50 years +.  The participants on the training expressed their delight in having the opportunity to avail of the IT training in their own local rural community centre.    The ability to use the internet and send emails proved to be the most popular element of the IT training. The promoter i.e. Ballymacarbry Community Centre Ltd expressed their satisfaction on the success of the IT Training.  The hosting of the IT Training in their new fully equipped IT training room has also helped in highlighting their facility.   The group is hopeful of building on its success in the future.