ICS Skills continue to ‘Get Ireland Online’ as Minister announces extension of the Benefit 3 Scheme

ICS Skills, the training and certification arm of the Irish Computer Society have welcomed the decision taken by the Minster for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources – Pat Rabbitte T.D to extend the availability of basic digital skills training under the Benefit3 scheme.

Minister Rabbitte said “This training is proving very popular. This is clear from the very positive feedback we are getting from the people who have availed of the training all over the country. I am very heartened to see the beneficial impact it is having on so many people."

ICS Skills launched the ‘Get Ireland Online’ programme in October 2011, in over 50 locations nationwide, having being selected to provide training under the BenefIT 3 scheme. Participants are taught how to make use of the web, send email, use internet telephone services like Skype and do shopping and banking online during three 2 hour classes. The funded cost of the course is normally €20 but ICS Skills is currently running a special offer of just €5 for all Dads to celebrate Father’s Day.

A participant of the course, Claire Vaughan described how life has changed as the digital world opened up to her despite her initial fears before commencing the course. “This course has opened up a whole new world to me. I knew that world existed but did not know how to access it. I can now email, Skype my son in Australia, shop for groceries and transfer money including paying bills on line. I also read the newspapers online and listen to the daily news at a time convenient to me. This experience has given me a whole new lease of life and boosted my confidence no end. I am no longer afraid of my laptop and now spend many hours surfing the net.”

Feedback from those who have completed to date has been overwhelmingly positive. Three out of ten people said they felt they would be able to teach the skills they had learned to someone else and almost one person in three said that as a result of doing the course they intended to buy a computer, laptop or similar access device soon. "It’s reflected too in that almost everyone (99%) who has completed the training says they would recommend it to others” commented Minister Rabbitte T.D. at the announcement of the extension of the scheme.

“As more businesses move their services online, serious challenges exist to those who are unable to do the necessary day to day activities such as banking and paying bills” said Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society. “ICS Skills is committed to promoting digital literacy in Ireland for all. We are delighted to be able to undertake another project that can ensure everyone is equipped with the basic e-skills so that no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world.”

For more information please see www.getirelandonline.ie, contact ICS skills on 01 7753008 or email training@ics.ie for your nearest location

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