Geoff Goodswen is a member of transport workers union URTU and recently took up the union’s learning offer to improve his digital skills with Learn My Way.

Geoff first heard of Learn My Way after being given a leaflet during a training presentation that URTU Learning Project Workers were running for members at logistics company Wincanton plc.

Learn My Way is a website of free online courses to help people develop their digital skills. The website contains over 30 free courses designed to help beginners get started with the online basics – using a mouse, keyboard, setting up email accounts and using internet search engines – while also offering plenty to help people develop their digital skills further.

Geoff felt that his computer skills before registering with Learn My Way were “very limited and basic.” Geoff said:

I used to rely on others for help. My son is very good at computers and he helped to get online and do the courses. He showed me how to go on a search engine and register.”

Geoff got started and completed a number of learning units to build up his skills and confidence online. These included Using your computer or device, Online basics, More internet skills, Online safety and Managing your money online.

Studying these units with Learn My Way has proved very beneficial, as Geoff explained:

They have given me a better understanding of how computers and the internet work.”

For example, I have learnt how to download apps, especially the banking one. I used to be scared that I would press the wrong button and send money to the wrong place, but now it is easier for me to keep track of my money. It saves me a lot of time as I do not have to go the bank anymore.”

Mobile banking is just one of the things I have learnt – having better computer skills is helpful in so many different ways. But most importantly, I do not have to go and bother other people – I can do it myself.”

Learn My Way is split into bitesize pieces of learning that make it easy to fit around work and home life. Geoff studied the units at home in his own time and felt there was no pressure to rush things.

Geoff said:

I would study for 5-10mins a day, sometimes half an hour, usually before going to bed. It is impossible to make a mistake whilst studying. If you are not sure about something, you just go back and study again.”

URTU Learning has been supporting lots of members like Geoff build up their digital skills, and URTU are one of the union projects featured in Working to close the digital divide - a guide for ULRs supporting digital skills.

Learn My Way is just one of the many resources available on the unionlearn Learning@Home page.