Member Article

Cultural event 'tail'-ors to skills gap

To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat, a community group in Northumberland has been helping people get their hands on a rodent of a more technical variety. Earlier this month, Pegswood Community Project in Morpeth played host to a Chinese New Year celebration party at which visitors learnt about Chinese culture through traditional and online activities.

With help from local artist Lip Lee, participants tried their hand at lantern and silk banner making and origami, as well as using the centre’s IT facilities to research Chinese horoscopes and take part in online treasure hunts. Later in the day, spectators were treated to a dragon display and a number of traditional stories.

This was just one of many cultural awareness events which have been taking place across the region during February and March, organised by UK online centres in association with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East.

These include IT induction sessions for people whose first language is not English. Participants will learn how to access council websites, open an email account and receive an introduction to ‘Life in Britain’ programmes, offering practice tests for those studying citizenship.

Tracy Richardson, North East regional manager, UK online centres, said: “The cultural awareness events aim to promote the social and educational benefits of the internet. Our day at the Pegswood Community Project was no exception as it proved a great success. “At UK online centres we believe both computers and the internet are for everybody and that technology can open up whole new worlds and bring people and communities closer together.”

Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East said: “Like UK online centres, the LSC recognises the true importance of ICT education, especially in respect to the workplace. By bringing online technology to areas which would otherwise lack these outlets, more people can develop the basic skills required to increase their social and employment potential.”

For more information about UK online or about the events email ukonlinecentres@ufi.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .