Home > News > February 2005 > 18-Feb-2005

BCS launch new IT literacy campaign

The British Computer Society (BCS) launched a new IT literacy campaign earlier this week. The Society's new e-Citizen programme aims to encourage individuals who possibly don't own a computer or have immediate access to one to get online and join the internet revolution.

E-Citizen is a short course designed to show individuals how to use the internet to shop, bank, book a holiday, email friends and stay safe online. The course is being made available throughout the country in schools, colleges and training centres.

"A recent BCS survey revealed that over a quarter of the country has no access to a computer at all, suggesting the IT revolution is still not impacting on a significant minority of the population," said David Clarke, BCS chief executive.

"The Government aims to provide the majority of public services online this year so it is vital for almost everyone to gain a rudimental grasp of basic computing skills to at least be able to access the internet and to communicate via e-mail. Whilst positive steps have been taken to address this skills gap such as offering free computer access in libraries, or through the growth of internet cafes, such initiatives still risk excluding significant groups of society, who remain unskilled such as the elderly, or economically disadvantaged.

E-Citizen will bridge this gap and will help the many thousands of people who perhaps remain either intimidated by technology or are ignorant of the benefits of being online. All sectors of society should be made aware of the opportunities to save money by purchasing goods and services, such as holidays online; how to safeguard their children's use of the internet; or how to e-mail friends and family or check their bank account. They will all benefit from e-Citizen."

The BCS say that the e-Citizen programme entails approximately 10 weeks of study time for beginners to become competent with accessing the online world.

External link

Further information can be found at www.ecitizen.co.uk

Please note: Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

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