Surrey Community Action – Computer Training Project
Contracted over a 5 year period to deliver a high-profile computer training project throughout the county of Surrey. Responsible for all aspects of delivery, staffing, design of materials and teaching aids, together with pioneering new technology.
Background
In 2002 Surrey Community Action (SCA) secured government funding to run a mobile computer workshop throughout the county. The idea was to make computers accessible to people who might never have the chance to use one and offer hands-on experience and expert advice to the general public for free. The project is called ‘Tech-It-Up’.
New laptops, a huge range of software, a vehicle and comprehensive marketing programme were in place. Everything was ready to go but with just a few weeks until launch no training providers could cope with the demands of the project. Long days, completely open sessions, trainers thrown to the public on any subject matter and up to 10 hours of script-free delivery conspired to make this a challenging proposition.
Delivery
ProjectWon took full responsibility for all aspects of delivery. We first designed the format of the practical aspects to take into account the wide ranging needs of our potential customers. We split delivery into 3 distinct areas of activity: a formal learning space with a big projector screen for mini teaching sessions, an internet area for online activity and emailing, and a relaxed area for quiet experimentation or to just sit and play.
We designed and wrote special step by step guides called “How to do IT” on any subjects that we thought people want to know about. They were special because all were under 2 sides of clear instruction, aimed to take no more than 15 minutes, and designed to take people through one specific subject like writing a letter, searching for a website or running spell check. Furthermore people were invited to keep the guides to practice with at home. These have proved massively popular with individual visitors and unexpectedly with many organisations who always seem to need complete sets.
We provide personal, relaxed teaching and advice to anyone who walks through the door, with no prior warning of what they might want to know. Demanding huge versatility and wide ranging knowledge, our training team has coped with everything imaginable relating to computers, from a pensioner wanting to send an email, to a room full of dignitaries, from purchasing advice to taking exams. A quiet moment might be teaching a World War II fighter pilot to use the Internet for the first time, while a busy one would include being mad enough to take ‘any questions’ in front of 60 people that included 5 lord mayors and several press reporters.
Outcome
The project has been hugely successful with very high proportions of people going on to take a computer course, hundreds deciding to take the plunge and buy their first computer, and countless more enjoying the chance to find out what all the fuss is about. In recent years we have adapted to meet demand and offer classroom-based, bite-size sessions in a wide range of subjects.
We were the first in the country to utilise GPRS technology to provide mobile Internet access, having attracted the attention of the Government’s E-envoy the concept has now been copied elsewhere. Over 5000 people have been through the doors and I have to admit that it is quite a poignant moment to sit and reflect on just how much has been achieved and how many lives have been changed through this project.
The SCA, for whom we are sole providers, can provide more facts and figures if required together with analysis on our standard of work and we are confident that the Surrey Learning and Skills Council will be very happy to comment if asked about the Tech-It-Up project.