Minister Conor Lenihan encourages Digital Engagement & Awareness
New Avenues Opened to 1,500 people who trained under
the BenefIT Scheme
The Minister of State with special responsibility for the Knowledge Society, Conor Lenihan T.D. along with Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello today, 15th January, celebrated the achievement of 1,500 people from a wide range of backgrounds completing training under the BenefIT Scheme which is operated by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
The Scheme promotes the use of computers and other Information and Communication Technologies by people who previously had a low level of use or none. In one of the largest projects under the scheme Dublin Employment Pact (DEP) came together with Dublin City Council and Fastrack to IT (FIT) to implement a novel training programme.,
The DEP programme received BenefIT funding of €390,000 supplemented by project partners - in particular Dublin City Council - giving a total budget of over €500,000. The graduates including older people (some in their 80s), people with disabilities, people with little formal education, unemployed people and late adopters of ICTs from Dublin and the Mid East were trained through 47 local organisations.
Minister of State, Conor Lenihan said “These projects show clearly what can be achieved when people take up the training opportunities that are available. But there are still too many people out there who don’t yet appreciate how they too could gain. Under the BenefIT 2 scheme there will be training opportunity for thousands of people all over Ireland in 2010. Learning these skills WILL open new doors. This is a new year, with new prospects, it’s a good time to explore new opportunities and I would strongly encourage people to take these training opportunities – like the thousands who have already – you’ll be glad you did.”
Details of training vacancies still available are available on the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources website at www.eInclusion.ie
Philip O’Connor, Director, Dublin Employment Pact said “this initiative has been a huge success in the Dublin and greater Dublin areas. In today’s economy it is critical that we do not leave behind the sizeable part of the population that don’t have access to ICT training through jobs or education.
Commenting further, Minister Lenihan said:- “Right now my Department are assessing what has been achieved under the Benefit scheme and we will be publishing the report in April. It is really encouraging to see the practical ways in which so many people are benefiting from this scheme” .
Ends.
Notes for Editors
Details of training vacancies still available are available on the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources website at www.eInclusion.ie
Minister Conor Lenihan encourages Digital Engagement & Awareness