Fifty thousand people in the Shannon Region are to be equipped with basic computer skills over 18 months. They are to be taught, free, the basics of using a computer: how to recognise the different parts and connect them up, turn it on and use the mouse. The course will also explain how to connect to the Internet and use search engines.
The programme, called Equalskills, is part of a joint initiative by ECDL Ireland and Shannon Development.
ECDL manages the European Computer Driving Licence programme, which has been taken up with gusto in Ireland. Last year 60,000 people began doing the seven-part examination.
ECDL Ireland recognised, however, that the driving licence was too advanced for technophobes and late adapters. So, in response to an Information Society Commission report which warned that Ireland was in danger of becoming a two-tier information society, the much simpler E-qualskills has been developed.
"E-qualskills is intended for a much wider audience than the ECDL qualification as it has been designed to appeal to those who approach computing with both fear and fascination," said Mr Jim Friars, chief executive of ECDL Ireland.
"The target population includes all those who do not normally come into contact with computers."
The logistics of training 50,000 people is formidable. "At present we are looking for partnerships with organisations and groups, and we plan to offer Equalskills to the general public in September," said Ms Elaine Butler, E-Region project executive.
Possible partners include voluntary and community groups, educational institutions, employers, State bodies and trade unions. One reason the Shannon region was chosen to kick off the project was its involvement in EU projects aimed at encouraging the use of IT; another is that Shannon Development has rebranded the area as the E-Region.
The Cork/Kerry region has been active in similar EU projects, and it will also be offering E-qualskills.
Once E-qualskills is running successfully in the two regions, it is planned to run it nationally.