Several persons in Coulls Hill are better able to use a computer after a National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) computer and Internet sensitization campaign.{{more}}

On November 15, the NTRC sensitization team, along with information technology instructors Nicholas Bartholomew and Des-Marie Bruce, travelled to the North Leeward community, where they conducted a one-day computer sensitization class.

The class was held at the Westwood Training Centre, which also houses the Westwood Methodist School.

Coordinator of Zone 8 (Belle Isle to Richmond) of the Adult and Continuing Education Department of the Ministry of Education Hayden Ferdinand said the computer sensitization class was most welcomed.

Ferdinand said the initiative was very productive and added, “We appreciate that persons could have taken time out to be here and be enlightened.”

Facilitators Bartholomew and Bruce addressed, among other things, social media, online banking, online shopping, computer care, safe use of a computer, computer security, and setting up email accounts.

Ferdinand also added that this particular centre was mainly set up to hold computer repair workshops, but they are also hoping to do other programmes, including electrical installation, refrigeration and the fixing of other electronic gadgets.

Ferdinand said a six-month basic computer repair and assembly pilot programme began in October 2011 and ended in April.

They are hoping to make the centre operational five days a week, where persons can come to receive different types of training.

“Computer repair is very important because of the One Laptop Per Child initiative. We want to be able to provide computer repair services and maintenance. Hence, we intend to be a training hub to train technicians to maintain the computers at the various schools,” Ferdinand said.

The NTRC’s Universal Service Fund Administrator, Kyron Duncan, said the sensitization campaign — the last this year — is being held in an effort to maximize the benefits of the free wireless Internet services offered at 29 locations throughout the island.

Sensitization campaigns have been held throughout the country, including at the Golden Years Activity Centre in Cane Grove, Redemption Sharpes, Questelles, Chateaubelair, Chapmans, Black Point, Union Island, and Bequia.

Meanwhile, Duncan said that the USF would be carrying out an island-wide telecommunication needs assessment survey in 2013.

“I urge the public to please corporate with the enumerators who will be coming around in the various villages for information,” said Duncan.