The second annual Get online day is taking place this year on 24 October 2008.  Part of Campaign for Learning’s Family Learning Festival, it’s another chance for families to  log on and learn more about the world wide web.

One in three adults in the UK still aren’t online, and this includes an estimated 25% of parents. Not being online means those families aren’t taking advantage of the information and benefits the internet has brought to the rest of the population. And it’s disadvantaged or poorer families who are most likely to be missing out.

The digital divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ of ICT is bigger than ever, and has an impact not just on the individual but on families, the economic and social health of communities, on political processes and public services. It’s time everyone had the skills, access and motivation to make digital choices and take digital opportunities.

By targeting families, the idea is that the digital natives in a family – often the children – will get the digitally divided involved. It’s a chance for families to share their ICT and internet skills, spend time together and learn how the internet could keep on helping in everyday family life.

To find out more information about Get online day – its partners, supporters and some of the activities taking place – please visit the Get online day website: http://www.getonlineday.com/

The £300m investment will help make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure every single young person can use a computer and the internet at home for their education.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said that the achievement gap between rich and poor can only be closed in the modern world if everyone has access to a computer and high speed internet access.

Jim Knight said:

“Home access to ICT has educational, economic and social benefits. In fact it is now clear that pupils without internet access are at a disadvantage to their peers. Home access is increasingly becoming an essential part of a good education and having a computer with internet access should be seen as equally essential as having a school bag, a uniform or a pen and paper. Many of us could not have even dreamed of having a computer in our own home when we were at school, but times have changed and young people are now at a significant disadvantage if they do not have a computer and access to the internet. They are no longer luxury items, but are essential for a good education.

“It is unacceptable that the digital divide is growing with 35 per cent of families having no access to the internet and around a million children having no computer at home. That’s why we are taking this unprecedented step.

“But this isn’t simply about handing out laptops and plugging them into broadband. Of course this is central to our plans but a laptop that’s never used will not close the digital divide. What’s important is what young people use computers for. I want young people using the internet to study and research their school work and to find information that would normally be difficult to get hold of.

“What I find particularly exciting is that young people can then show their parents and grandparents how to use the internet so they can benefit from the vast amount of information available at their fingertips.”

The announcement follows an independent report published today by leading industry and educational experts who make up the ‘Home Access Taskforce’. The taskforce recommended boosting educational equality by ensuring that every 5-19 year-old can log on to the internet at home by 2011.

While further investigation is being carried out into the requirements of learners aged 5-7, the initial ‘Home Access’ package includes:

• broadband for all young people between 7 – and 19-years-old whose families are eligible;
• a free laptop or other computer with relevant software and hardware bought with a ‘Home Access’ voucher; and
• support covering important areas such as internet safety, effective use of technology for learning and a technical support helpline.

The programme will begin in November 2008 with targeted funding available for all local authorities to provide home access for groups such as looked after children and others for whom the authority has special responsibility. The wider programme will be piloted in early 2009 in two local authority areas, with expansion to the rest of England starting in autumn 2009. Families in receipt of income support or unemployment benefits will be able to apply for a ‘Home Access’ Grant which they can use to purchase a package from accredited suppliers. The programme aims to work towards universal home access by 2011.

A new, cutting edge qualification in I.T. has just been launched by the Government for 14-19 year olds that has maximum value as it has been designed specifically by employers, is linked to business needs and so equips students with the attributes businesses are looking for.

The Diploma in I.T. will be taught in some Liverpool schools from September 2008 and has been driven by Microsoft, BT, Vodafone and Toshiba.

It is being championed locally by the digital sector agency Merseyside ICT and local company Rapid Technologies.

What is it?

The Diploma is an industry & skills focussed qualification and an alternative to traditional qualifications such as GCSEs & A’ Levels. Students will ‘learn by doing’ in the I.T. sector, through employer input and in the classroom. They will also gain universal skills that all employers seek, such as how to think creatively, problem-solve, communicate, work independently and work as part of a team. Students will also have an excellent grasp of English & Maths while applying these subjects to real business scenarios.

How can you get involved?

Business support is crucial to give students business insight, skills and experience. You can help!

Be it by giving a Business Talk about your field of expertise in the I.T. world or the projects your company has worked on, giving students a real business problem to research, offering Work Experience or becoming a ‘buddy’ to an I.T. Teacher.

Even if you can only offer one activity once a year it will be appreciated!

How will you benefit?

You will be able to recruit well prepared, knowledgeable school leavers that can make an immediate, positive contribution at work, lessen the need for basic training and allow you to focus on specialist training.

Working with schools on projects is great staff development for your existing staff and they will find it very rewarding and enjoyable.

If you think you could work with a Liverpool School please call Maria Hart at Liverpool Compact Education/Business Partnership on 0151 728 9454

• The AIMES Community Grid project. Acknowledged as a leader in its field, AIMES is leading the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme (DIEP), established as a result of the Government’s 2007 “Digital Challenge”. Mr Irranca-Davies will visit St Cuthbert’s Catholic Community College for Business & Enterprise in St Helens where pupils and parents have been using the managed computing service provided by the Community Grid project since May 2007. As part of the wider DIEP, strategically supported by the GMDDA, AIMES will provide access for around 5,000 homes in the Greater Merseyside region via the Community Grid system over a 2 year period from May 2008.

• The EverybodyOnline Liverpool 8 project is another highly successful digital inclusion initiative focusing on internet and digital technology support for parents. It includes use of the internet, and day-to-day skills such as shopping and banking online, and email. Mr Irranca-Davies will visit a PACT (Parents & Children Together) session at South Liverpool Personnel in Liverpool to speak to users direct.

Mr Irranca-Davies’ visit underlines the importance placed on the Digital Inclusion agenda at Parliamentary level, as Professor Dennis Kehoe, Director of AIMES, explains: “Digital inclusion is a crucial enabler of economic regeneration and growth. Internet access can transform cities and communities, providing improved access to employment, education and health information. The internet can also help to combat isolation and increase a sense of community. We’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our digital inclusion work to Mr Irranca-Davies in person.”

The AIMES digital inclusion project provides a fully managed internet access service to users, a key element in its success and sustainability. AIMES and its technology partner, e-communications specialist OciusB2, provide broadband internet access, a range of software packages, all equipment required, plus training and support to users of the Community Grid. The first 125 homes are now live and for the first 12 months, the service is provided free of charge.

Some 17 million citizens in the UK did not have access to a computer, either at home or at work, he said, “Chances are these people come from an older or socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged group”.

The new cabinet committee set up by Mr Murphy met for the first time last week, “We came up with the following mission statement: To co-ordinate policies and a coherent strategy that all citizens, especially the disadvantaged, can benefit from new technologies,” he told the conference.

Delegates welcomed the appointment of the first cabinet minister to have responsibility for digital exclusion.

“The vision from government seems now to be bigger and bolder,” said Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online centres, community-based groups aimed at connecting the disconnected.

David Parr, Chair of the Greater Merseyside Digital Development Agency agreed, “This is a clear indication that the priorities of GMDDA, tackling digital exclusion in our communities, is also being addressed by central government.”

These views were echoed by Professor Dennis Kehoe, Director of the AIMES Centre at the University of Liverpool, “It is good to hear that Government is addressing digital inclusion at Cabinet-level, comments expressed today mirror exactly our objectives in the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme for Merseyside. There is a clear link between digital inclusion and economic prosperity”

GMDDA and AIMES are currently working with other partners, including local councils, to digitally enable over 5,000 residents, as well as encouraging enterprise development and other initiatives, such as homeshoring. Read more about the programme here: http://diep.aimes.net/

The National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008 ‘Reaching the Final Third’ will consider what radical interventions need to happen in order to reach the final third of digitally excluded citizens. The conference will be hosted in association with UK online centres and DC10plus.

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear the latest evidence and to question the individual and collective role of the public, private and third sectors and the call for Universal Access.

Conference Objectives:

• Examine the evidence and key data for the final third of the digitally excluded, looking at who and why
• Consider and discuss the costs and benefits of universal access
• Explore the role of the third, private and public sectors in reaching the final third and explore where joint working and intervention is required
• Agree a radical agenda and identify key actions moving forwards

Keynote speakers include:

• Jim Knight MP, Minister for Schools, Department for Children, Schools and Families
• Baroness Andrews OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government
• Mark MacGann, Director General, EICTA
• Nick Batey, EU E-Inclusion Directorate
• Dr Tanya Byron, Author, Byron Review
• Helen Milner, UK online centres
• Stephen Dodson, National Director, DC10plus
• Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts
• Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs, Microsoft UK
• Stuart Purvis CBE, Partner for Content and Standards, Ofcom
• Andrew Heaney, Director of Strategy and Regulation, Carphone Warehouse
• Leonie Vlachos, Digital Inclusion Manager, Age Concern
• John Fisher, Director, Citizens Online
• Kevin Carey, Director, HumanITy
• Brian Eisenberg, Corporate Relations and Planning, Digital Unite
• Jane Berry, Net Gain
• Guy Giles, Operations Director, DigiTV

Target Audience:
The conference is targeted at both senior policy leads and practitioners in the fields of digital inclusion, social exclusion, transformational government and technology, including:

Public Sector and NGOs:

• Central Government Departments
• Local Authorities
• Regional Development Agencies
• Libraries and Information Services
• Local Strategic Partnerships
• Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Job Centre Plus
• Education Providers
• Think Tanks

Third Sector: Charities Social Enterprises, Not for Profit Organisations including:

• Access and Inclusion related charities
• Adult and Community Learning Providers
• UK Online Centres
• Welfare groups

Private Sector, including:

• Technology Companies
• Regeneration/IT Consultants
• Suppliers

Conference fee:
£295 +VAT

The conference fee includes admission to the reception, main conference including lunch and refreshments upon arrival and throughout the day. Further information about the programme, venue and practical arrangements for the event will be issued upon booking.

More information: http://www.civicregeneration.co.uk/conferences-page.php?sec=conferences&subSec=conferences_digital_incl_2008

UK online centres been celebrating success after scooping a special ‘highly commended’ award for Building a fairer society with e-Government.

The award was collected by Managing Director Helen Milner. She attended the E-Government National Awards in London on Tuesday 22 January 2008 along with a delegation of UK online centres. The award recognises the outstanding contributions of the UK online centres network and myguide in building a fairer society with e-Government by helping disadvantaged people to use computers and the internet and improve their lives.

Helen Milner said: “I’m delighted that myguide and UK online centres have been recognised for our contribution in motivating and supporting digitally excluded people to get online, get connected to public services, and get the skills and confidence to make computers and the internet work for them.

“There are often complex factors at work in exclusion – age, culture, disability, income, education or even attitude. Overcoming those barriers is key to creating a fairer and more equal society, and that’s the goal UK online centres and myguide are working towards.”

With the increasing use of mobile technologies, and sophistication of external dangers such as spyware, how can you ensure your most valuable assets – namely your employees and clients – are protected?

The FREE session will address ways in which to control:

• Enterprise Reporting
• Web Content Filtering
• Spam
• Email Journaling
• Firewall Implementation
• Bandwidth Management
• Anti-Virus & Spyware
• Zero Hour Threats
• Removable Device Control

This 60 minute session will outline how you can best protect your network and valuable data whilst greatly reducing the associated administrative burden. It will introduce technology that enables you to monitor, control and secure your entire network from a single user interface.

Date: 31st October 2007
Registration 11:00 – 11:30
Presentation 11:30 – 12:30
Lunch & Networking 12:30 – 2:00

Venue: ICDC Liverpool Digital, 2nd Floor, Babbage House entrance, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 9NW

To book on this event visit http://www.merit.org.uk/

Recent reports and surveys indicate that Europe may face severe e-skills shortages and mismatches in the coming years. At the same time, e-skills are becoming central to boost innovation, productivity and employability and to respond to global challenges. To this end, the European Commission proposes today a long-term e-skills agenda and a set of action lines at EU level following extensive expert group and stakeholder consultations. These actions will complement and enrich significant efforts already under way in Europe.

Vice-President Günter Verheugen, responsible for Enterprise and Industry Policy, said: “The availability of e-skills is a key condition for successful innovation and for the competitiveness of European enterprises. We cannot afford to delay and we will only succeed if all partners join their forces. In this context, I warmly welcome the initiative of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry to create an e-Skills Industry Leadership Board”.

Ján Figel’, Commissioner for Education and Culture, said: “A learning society for all is the most valid guarantee against exclusion. Knowledge, skills and competences are the main capital of European citizens and e-skills are a key competence in the context of lifelong learning. But only 10% of the European population participate in lifelong learning. ICT has the potential to enable innovation and lifelong learning for all. We must ensure that this becomes a reality”.

Viviane Reding, Commissioner for the Information Society and Media, added: “Shortfalls of qualified ICT practitioners slow down new ICT applications in the economy and draw away billions of euros of investment funds to dynamic emerging economies, where hundreds of thousands of new engineers are qualifying each year. Digital illiteracy, still standing at nearly 40%, is also a persistent feature of Europe’s digital divide. We can no longer afford to waste the talents of millions of Europeans by leaving them out of the information society. Member States and industry must commit to a substantial e-skills strategy”

Most actions contributing to the implementation of a long term e-skills agenda are within the responsibility of Member States, industry, academia, trade unions, etc. The Commission encourages them to further develop their policies and initiatives, and facilitate the exchange of good practice, and will focus its own efforts on actions bringing added value at EU level:

• Raising Awareness: exchanging information and good practice for the promotion of science, maths, ICT, teacher training and gender issues; encouraging awareness campaigns to provide parents, teachers and pupils with an accurate understanding of opportunities arising from ICT education and careers and reinforcing the links between ICT, learning and innovation.
• Developing supporting actions and tools: supporting the development of a European e-competence framework, of a European e-skills and career portal, and the Europass initiative; promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships, quality criteria for industry-based training, new curriculum guidelines including services sciences, and appropriate incentives, especially for SMEs.
• Fostering employability and social inclusion: launching an initiative on e-Inclusion in 2008 with a view to halve the digital divide by 2010; encouraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as the European Alliance on Skills for Employability under the umbrella of the Business CSR Alliance; and promoting how public and private funding instruments can support such initiatives.
• Promoting better and greater use of e-learning: promoting the development of courses and mechanisms facilitating the exchange of e-skills training resources; supporting the networking of e-learning and training centres with the European Network of Living Labs and promoting successful e-learning strategies.
• Promoting long-term cooperation and monitoring progress: maintaining a regular dialogue with Member States and stakeholders; releasing an annual report presenting a synthesis of supply and demand and assessing the impact of global sourcing on ICT jobs and occupations.

The way forward to the widening and deepening of e-skills within the EU is through multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnerships for action. The Commission will organise a major conference in co-operation with stakeholders at the end of 2008 to report on progress, present the results of the actions and discuss the way forward.

More information

E-Skills for competitiveness, growth and employability