Hanna launches ‘Cyberskills’ learning initiative

Businesses and community groups in the Castlereagh and the Greater Belfast area will soon have the opportunity to avail of ‘Cyberskills’ training on their doorsteps.

Minister for Employment and Learning Carmel Hanna announced the initiative during a visit to Castlereagh College for Further and Higher Education to officially launch a new state-of-the-art IT mobile training unit, funded jointly by the Department for Employment and Learning and the Belfast Regeneration Office.

Mrs Hanna said: "My Department is committed to helping people move from welfare to work and we look to further and higher education institutions to work with us to achieve that goal.

"I am confident that this creative and flexible facility will act as a springboard for many people who would otherwise find it difficult to participate in some form of learning. It aims to remove many of the barriers to learning such as limited access and childcare support.

"Castlereagh’s commitment to widening access and increasing participation has been clearly demonstrated by its activities with local voluntary and community groups, its linkages with the business sector and its close working relationship with Castlereagh Borough Council."

Mrs Hanna said that the aim of this Cyberskills project is to provide an innovative progression route to mainstream lifelong learning. She added: "I believe that this Unit has the potential to make a very real difference to the lives of people in the local community.

"One of its key benefits, with its sophisticated training facilities, is the ability to bring training to those community groups and businesses which do not have their own ICT training facilities. I understand that training can be arranged at times most convenient to the organisations involved without the need to travel."

Muriel Shankey, Principal of Castlereagh College, said: "I greatly welcome the provision of this Unit as it will help us continue to widen access and increase participation, particularly to those who have not previously had a good educational experience.

"Through this Unit, we plan to develop essential skills for life in the local community and companies so that we can foster positive, relative and fun experiences from learning."

(SP)