Microsoft Boosts IT Training for Disadvantaged Across the UK
Local Community Groups Receive National Award
London – UK – 14 June 2006 - Local UK community groups will be awarded today for their outstanding contribution to promoting digital inclusion to those in their area. The Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006, now in their third year, celebrate the work of 30 organisations from across the UK. The awards will help the groups continue their work of giving people within their local communities’ access to vital Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training. The awards will be presented by Alistair Baker, Managing Director of Microsoft UK, at London County Hall.
ICT access for all, from Ethnic Minority Groups to Disabled People
The Black Women’s Health and Family Support Group is one of 30 winning community groups from across the UK that will receive £2,500 and Microsoft’s internet and Office software. The organisation's primary area of concern is promoting the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and it works tirelessly to ensure that other forms of violence against women are prevented. The money will go towards buying computers for the centre in order to train women and young children essential IT skills to help them in everyday life.
Another winner, Derek Naysmith of the British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB) said, “Winning this MCLA award is a real achievement for us. The funding and IT equipment will be priceless in helping us implement and run our project and make a difference to people in need. We never thought for a minute that we would win but the application process was so quick and straightforward that we thought we should give it a go. I would urge any community groups who have an IT based project idea to apply for next year’s awards.” The BCAB is a self-help group of visually impaired computer professionals and users and runs training courses specially tailored to their needs.
Approximately 400 UK voluntary organisations applied for the grant through the awards scheme, which is being run for the third year by Microsoft UK Ltd and national charity Citizens Online. Aimed at community and voluntary groups, the Microsoft Community Learning Awards seek to help organisations reach people who are currently excluded from existing IT training and support schemes in their area. The awards scheme hopes to overcome this barrier to IT training through supporting informal training projects that introduce ICT to disadvantaged young people and adults in the most appropriate way.
The awards scheme is part of Microsoft’s global giving initiative, Unlimited Potential, a commitment to help eliminate technology illiteracy supported by a long term investment of cash and software.
Alistair Baker, Managing Director of Microsoft UK, commented: “The purpose of the Microsoft Community Learning Awards is to recognise and reward community groups like these across the UK who have an innovative IT project they want to get off the ground. With a growing social and economical reliance on technology it is important we encourage digital inclusion across Britain and ensure we are providing greater access to and supporting IT skills.”
John Fisher from Citizen’s Online commented: “36% of adults in the UK have either never tried the Internet or have not used it for at least three months. The challenge of digital inclusion is to engage those who feel that ICT and the Internet are not for them. Community based organisations know what needs to be done but they require resources to help them do the work. Citizens Online is therefore once again delighted to be partnering with Microsoft in this awards scheme to support grass roots initiatives”.
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