E-Learning on Wheels: Newark College Brings Computing to Companies
Newark College takes IT off the desk and into the heart of the business community to improve computing skills with the Commun-IT van from ABK
(PRWEB) September 30, 2005
Newark College is playing an important role in taking IT off the desk and into the heart of the business community, where it is most needed, providing staff with valuable ICT and Internet skills to improve business productivity, thanks to pioneering mobile computing technology from ABK.
The initiative stemmed from the GovernmentÂ’s aim to bridge the digital divide and provide increased levels of ICT and Internet access to more deprived areas and to rural communities where broadband connectivity is typically unavailable. Newark College, with the help of technology specialists ABK, has responded to the plans by taking e-learning facilities to businesses across Nottinghamshire.
Companies in the certain areas of the county do not have broadband Internet access nor the computing infrastructure or hardware to host full-scale IT training. The e-learning and training facilities delivered by the college offer a flexible, cost-effective and on-demand alternative.
Newark’s Commun-IT van removes the financial implications and the headache of organising and installing costly ICT infrastructure, and also the problem of disposing with the IT equipment after the training has taken place. A core feature of the college’s van lies in its simplicity – it’s a mobile computing centre that can be deployed quickly and easily anywhere. The van is fully self-sufficient and operates on a wireless local area network, removing the need for a power supply or extra cables.
The college has two Commun-IT satellite vans, one of which they own and one which is part-funded by ABK, taking e-learning to company workforces. The vans are out on the road a large proportion of the time, hosting training sessions for small to medium sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations. The college delivers ICT training and support on-site, wherever and whenever it is required.
The solution is a flexible one, tailor-made to meet specific business requirements. Two hours to day-long workshops, the sessions cover a host of ICT areas, from word-processing, database and Internet training to literacy and numeracy ‘skills for life’ and a whole host of online courses such as health and safety training.
The initiative has brought a raft of advantages to employers and staff alike. Employer Engagement Co-ordinator Nigel Hullett said: “By taking learning directly out of the college confines and into the workplace, we are making training programmes and computing skills more accessible than ever.”
“ABK’s Commun-IT vans are helping to remove barriers to learning and increasing accessibility to e-learning – many individuals find the prospect of returning to college a daunting one, but by providing training in a familiar environment, many people are keen to learn new business skills.”
Nigel Hullett said: “We are working with more and more organisations across the region – we currently work with over 30 clients, including British DiaMalt, Dixons Mastercare and the British Wildlife Trust.
The scheme is also proving beneficial to employers, who are now able to equip their workforce with the necessary ICT skills, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency. The advantage of the Commun-IT van is its flexibility. It can take training and e-learning facilities anywhere. Companies can have the training they want, when and where they want it.
In-house training means that employers can provide on-site training without the complications of taking staff to a remote training centre and without the potential negative business implications of having key members of staff absent for long periods of time.
About ABK
ABK is a specialist technology provider to the education sector, with over 10 years of experience and an in-depth knowledge of todayÂ’s teaching requirements. ABK deliver complete managed services to schools, meeting all curriculum technology requirements, offering finance and maintenance packages to meet specific educational needs. www. abkplc. com
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