The Diploma in I.T. – ‘bringing learning to life…’ August 19, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, Education, GMDDA, Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring, Merseyside, Merseyside ICT, News, Technology, Training, e-Skills, schools.Tags: Diploma in I.T., I.T. Diploma, Liverpool Compact, Maria Hart
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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
Further funding released for technology investment July 8, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, GMDDA, ICT Invest, Merseyside, News, Technology.Tags: John Blades
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Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is offering help to small and medium sized businesses that are looking to invest in their ICT hardware and software.
The Chamber has been awarded £500,000 via the European Regional Development Fund, which can be allocated to companies across Merseyside.
John Blades, ICT Investment Fund Administrator, said: “We will award grants of between £10-50K which must be spent by 30 November 2008. The funding can be up to 40% of the total project cost and covers the costs of new technology investments. “
The funding is open to businesses in the Merseyside area, whether or not they are Chamber members.
If you would like more information about how the ICT Investment Fund can help your businesses please call John Blades at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on 0151 227 1234 or visit the ICT Investment Fund website at http://www.ict-invest.info/
[From: http://liverpoolchamber.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/new-funding-support-for-ict-investment/]
Digital Inclusion Minister sees Merseyside communities getting connected June 24, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Education, GMDDA, Liverpool, Merseyside, News, North West England, St Helens, Training.Tags: Community Grid, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, OciusB2, South Liverpool Personnel, St Cuthbert's
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Digital Inclusion Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Liverpool and St. Helens last week to see how the Merseyside region is leading the way in making IT facilities more accessible to local communities.
Mr Irranca-Davies visited the Parents and Children Together (PACT) project, run by EverybodyOnline and held at South Liverpool Personnel, which runs a series of taster sessions to help local parents access the internet, learn new skills and find out how technology could improve their lives.
Following this he went onto St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Community College for Business and Enterprise in St. Helens to hear about the Community Grid concept, which provides the local community with easy-to-use, low-cost, low-energy home access to the internet and other computing resources.
Commenting on the projects he had seen Mr Irranca-Davies said: “The two projects I have seen today are great examples of how we can make the latest technologies accessible to people who, without projects such as these, would not have access to the internet and other computer resources.
“By teaching parents basic information about the internet they can make sure their children are safe online as well as finding out how they can use the internet for day-to-day chores such as online shopping and online money management. I hope other areas can learn from this innovative project.
“All too often we hear about the expense of the equipment and technology needed to connect to the internet being a barrier for many people. Thanks to the Community Grid project over 600 homes in St. Helens and Liverpool will have access to software applications and the internet.
“By providing people with all the connectivity, hardware, software, licensing and maintenance overheads Community Grid is removing these barriers and giving people the access they need.
“The PACT project and the Community Grid should be congratulated for their innovative projects which are helping people in the North West of England become more digitally included.”
The Community Grid digital inclusion project is led by AIMES, (a spin out of the University of Liverpool) and its technology partner, e-communications specialist OciusB2, more information here. It is part of a wider initiative, the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme (DIEP), which aims to roll the service out to over 5,000 households in Merseyside.
“Alt Valley’s Got Talent” winner announced June 23, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Awards, Capital of Culture, Community Development, GMDDA, ICDC, Liverpool, Merseyside, News.Tags: Alt Valley Vision
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Huge congratulations to the ultimate winner of Alt Valley’s Got Talent, singer/songwriter Michelle Strahan! Michelle won £250 and the opportunity to perform at a star-studded Open Culture event in 2008.
Special Runners Up Kirsty Crook and Urban Street Stars Juniors won £50 each
To celebrate the success of ICDC’s digital inclusion project, Alt Valley Vision, a community talent contest was held for anyone over the age of 8 who lives, works, studies or plays in the Alt Valley area of Liverpool.
Auditions were held in the community during half term week and each audition was filmed and is available to view on Alt Valley’s Got Talent website for all to see.
The final will took place during the Alt Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday 22nd June, with guest judges, Professor Phil Redmond and Joanna Jones Director of Bananafish Management, a successful TV, theatre and film casting agency based in Liverpool.
Digital Inclusion Minister to visit leading projects in the North West June 17, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, DIEP, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, GMDDA, Liverpool, Merseyside, News, North West England, St Helens, e-Skills.Tags: DC10+, DC10plus, DIEP, Digital Inclusion Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MP
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On Thursday 19th June, Digital Inclusion Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MP will visit two leading digital inclusion projects in Liverpool and St Helens. The so-called “digital divide” is increasingly seen as a major barrier to personal, community and regional economic well-being in the UK, which is the least skilled workforce in the EU. Mr Irranca-Davies’ visit will include:
- 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.
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