BCS targets UK technophobes

Nearly a third of the UK population is afraid of using computers and is being left behind in an increasingly information driven society, the British Computer Society (BCS) has warned.

In a bid to bridge this skills gap the organisation has introduced an IT training programme designed for technophobes.

BCS EqualSkills is a range of short, staged training and assessment programmes which will be available from adult education institutes and local training providers.

According to the BCS, the training will give an informal and uncomplicated introduction to computers, regardless of education, age or technological ability.

The courses will show newcomers to IT the basics of computing such as how to switch on a PC, use a mouse and explore the internet. A certificate will be awarded on successful completion.

The BCS explained that EqualSkills aims to be the first step on the ladder, with candidates encouraged to move on to the internationally recognised European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification, also managed by the BCS in the UK.

"A great misconception exists that most people are at least familiar with the rudiments of computing and are familiar with popular terms such as 'email' and 'the web'," said ECDL UK director Pete Bayley.

"But although IT literacy on the whole has increased dramatically in recent years, thanks to the BCS's success in promoting the importance of IT skills through its ECDL certification products, a serious gap has opened up between the computer literate and illiterate.

"EqualSkills will, I believe, go a long way to help bridge this gap and enable computer novices to become fully involved in the information age."

The courses will cover four topics - Computer Basics, Introduction to the Desktop, World Wide Web and Email - and will be taught by a tutor at participating centres with candidates progressing at their own pace through an EqualSkills workbook.