Course aims to reduce fear of IT

Today sees the first of a series of workshops aimed at helping community and voluntary groups to dip a toe in the information superhighway.

The Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation - or UPLIFT - is a partnership of community technology learning centres, the Government and Microsoft.

It hopes to provide around 4,000 people with the skills to use information and communication technology by July of next year.

The first workshop is in Whangarei, and Jan Symington from Whitireia Community Polytechnic says everyone is can benefit, from individuals to community groups to small businesses.

She says the course is about bringing everyone up to speed on using the technology in new and innovative ways.

The UPLIFT workshops are being held at Forum North in Whangarei today, and others are being held in Community Technology Centres in Dunedin, Tokoroa, Otara, Christchurch, and Moerewa.

UPLIFT aims to provide eligible organisations with a free four day residential course, on-line graduate support network and access to a national awards programme.

- NEWSTALK ZB