Launch of CITTECH Community IT programme in inner Rochdale

Date published: 13/03/2007

A new project has been launched that aims to support work and skills within "inner Rochdale’. The project which is being delivered by the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) has received funding from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB5) in Rochdale to train local people as community IT technicians. 

This move is hugely significant as inner Rochdale has a range of community centres with ICT equipment and systems who find it extremely difficult to maintain their equipment or solve any IT problems they encounter. Learners will be given the opportunity to support a local community centre, assess the centres ICT needs and identify any technical problems they encounter. 

Abdul Hamied, SRB5 Regeneration amp; Renewal Manager, said: "It is important to support the skills development of local people in inner Rochdale.  The CITTECH project provides that support".

CITTECH will operate from a local venue on Entwisle Road, aiming to take the learners through an accredited IT Practioners programme over the next 12 months. Learners will be able to build their own computers, install Windows Vista, learn to setup wireless network systems and improve their knowledge of IT applications such as Office 2007.

Learners will be encouraged to use more innovative learning methods. A virtual learning platform will be used by tutors and learners to interact, view resources and handouts, complete assignments and track their progress using the virtual learning environment. They will be able to do this at any time in the classroom, at home or work or in the local library.

Greg Coyne, Regional Secretary for the WEA North West Region, said: "The WEA started out in Rochdale in 1903 and I am delighted to see the WEA delivering state of the art courses over 100 years later".