Over 750 Trained at National ICT Center
~~Adz:Right~~ Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 02, 2008 (SKNIS): The National Information and Communication Technology Center (ICT) celebrates its one year anniversary this month and officials are satisfied that the facility is fulfilling its mandate to raise the awareness of the population to the need to have computer skills, and equipping locals with these techniques.
The center’s training coordinator Colin Frank was the guest on this week’s SKNIS Perspectives, and he noted that training has been a success story.
“Since the center has been open, we have had approximately 35 training courses conducted in e-government, and (an array of software programmes including) Microsoft Word, Excel and Access,” he said. “We hosted training for two phases of the International Computer Drivers License (ICDL). We’ve done training in webpage development, web applications and also web programming.”
The sessions on e-government targets public servants. However, a large number of private individuals have readily embraced the opportunities created by the state-of-the-art facility. Workers on the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site, who are predominantly female, have been welcomed at the National ICT Center and regularly participate in classes. A number of business houses have also rented the facility to conduct training for their staff.
Mr. Frank estimated that a total of 750 persons have been trained at the center. He explained that the conference services which offer video and teleconferencing have been in great demand. The training coordinator is hoping that the business incubator plans become just as popular.
“We want people … who may have a business at home, or who may have a business idea that is IT related … to know that there is somewhere they can go, where they will be supplied with all of the amenities in business,” he stressed. “They can access support in terms of developing a business plan, will have access to our conference and training facilities, and can get help in marketing their product.”
“What is critical is that we are offering all of these services at a very nominal rental fee, far less than if you have to rent a space in downtown Basseterre,” Mr. Frank revealed. He added that the startup companies will be hosted at the center for at least two years allowing them time to grow.
There are currently four business incubator spaces available. Interested individuals should contact the center at 465-0610. The public is also invited to take part in an October 13 to 17 Microsoft Word class as well as a six-week course teaching Chinese Mandarin. Classes begin on October 14.
“This center was created for the people of this country to be educated. …. If you are out there and you don’t have much skill in computer, come to the center … and we’ll have something in place to help you,” Mr. Frank concluded.
