Single parents benefit from free IT training
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER 50 single parents benefited from free Information Technology training after three months of classes jointly funded by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Sen Consulting.
The project, which ended today (Nov. 16), was operated by two executing agencies, National Skills and Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), with a view to providing practical proficiency in basic computing skills. It also concentrated on providing social and professional training for single parents to ultimately alleviate poverty through such empowerment.
The classes, held in Sandy Point, covered fundamental competence modules including Basic Computing, Microsoft Word Excel and Introduction to the internet, and were held four nights weekly.
Chief Executive Officer of Sen Consulting Gregory Mills explained that the project serves to foster social development by allowing participants to attend social skills seminars. He also noted that a childcare centre was established, from which 20 children have benefited. Mills said that the project involved professional development which included preparing for interviews, writing resumes and professional protocol. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Most single parents don’t get the opportunities to participate in computer classes because they are usually expensive, plus, the parents are usually occupied with work or family. However, we had 52 parents ranging from Newton Ground to Half Way Tree.
“It was very exciting from start to end. We faced challenges with the electricity outages during October, but we managed to get through since we had many makeup classes. And we had to cut the module on Desktop Publishing due to lack of the necessary time.”
Mills thanked the sponsors of the project for enabling the parents who may have by no other means been able to get basic computer training, to do so. He informed that according to the participants’ practical proficiency and tests and examinations, most of them will be able to pass the course and be awarded at the official graduation ceremony to be held on Thursday, November 27 at the training centre.
Mills noted that amidst the challenges faced, the single parents settled down quickly and performed very well in what he described as “a generally successful venture”.
