Formal training

Training and learning comes in all shapes and sizes, to reflect the variety of styles preferred by learners. Much still takes place in a classroom environment, with groups of people following a similar series of steps to learn more or less the same thing, using varying degrees of formality.

Short courses

There is a very wide range of training available in short sessions lasting from a few hours to a couple of days.These are provided by a range of local education establishments, community organisations and businesses, at varying prices and with different quality assurance and accreditation schemes.As well as local options many national bodies, such as NCVO and Directory of Social Change, provide sector-specific training programmes that include ICT training.

Short courses are ideal for bite-sized options that focus on specific tasks and key skills such as:

• budgeting using Excel
• how to do a Mail Merge
• Web accessibility.

Talk to local training providers and other organisations to find out what’s available in your area.

Longer courses

As with any education for adults, the exact range of courses available depends on your local education providers, including adult education colleges, community organisations and private training providers. However, in most areas there is likely to be access to longer courses, such as web design or computer technicians’ courses.

Longer courses usually allow for more time to develop and practise specialist skills, building a portfolio of projects and becoming more proficient. They may be able to link into existing work responsibilities, so that course work can form the basis of work needed in the workplace.The courses may range from a term to a whole year, and all should provide certification on completion, such as the ECDL or an NVQ.They may be available in the daytime or evening and there may be a reduction in fees for volunteers or others who are not working.

European Computer Driving License (ECDL)

A highly popular option for computer training is the ECDL, which is taught by a wide range of providers, including online training options. Providers charge varying amounts for the teaching, materials and exam fees. Courses leading to the ECDL represent a general introduction to a wide range of ICT concepts and skills, delivered in seven modules:

• Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
• Using the Computer and Managing Files
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Presentations
• The Internet,Web Searching and E-mai