ICT Course aims to change lives
Unlimited Potential course aims to give computer skills to people who may never have had the chance before
20 February 2006
The Government has high hopes for a new nationwide course being run by Porirua's Whitireia Polytechnic.
The Unlimited Potential course aims to give computer skills to people who may never have had the chance before. The course sponsors - the Government and Microsoft - hopes that local communities will be revitalised as a result.
Minister for the Community, Winnie Laban, is formally launching the course this afternoon, and says the entire country can benefit.
She says as a result people will be able to communicate and be better informed thanks to improved access to knowledge and ideas. Ms Laban says new skills can lead to new jobs and creative alternatives to dead-end employment.
She says the upskilling could lead to something as exciting as being a designer for Peter Jackson's Weta Studios and she says she is very excited about the programme.
Microsoft NZ Managing Director Ross Peat says the examples of countries like Ireland and Singapore have already shown what happens when a population has crossed the digital divide.
He says their emphasis on information technology helped turn their entire economies around in the space of a couple of decades.
Mr Peat says some of the pilot schemes have been very solidly based in the local communities, with Microsoft providing network equipment, PCs and software to enable the training to be carried out actually in the community rather than elsewhere.
He says the technology and the software provide opportunities for people to realise their potential, and can transform lives.
He says Microsoft's view is that has to be good for business.
© 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
