The Communication Workers Union (CWU) Learning Centre at the Royal Mail Plymouth Mdec (Manual data entry centre) recently completed another ITC User Fundamentals Skills Level 1 course. This followed on from the successful course earlier in the year and is proving very popular with staff at the site. The course was 2 hours a week for 15 weeks and proved to be a real challenge to all that participated.  

The course had been organised by Gavin Hardie, Lead ULR Plymouth and East Cornwall Amal Branch and he explained a bit about what learners can expect:

The course is broken down into 5 stages which include Word Processing, Email, Internet, how to improve productivity and user fundementals."

The stages in more detail are:

• Stage 1 - Word Processing. This is where the student will enter, edit and combine text and other information accurately within word processing documents. Also, they learn how to structure information within word processing documents and using word processing software tools to format and present documents.  
• Stage 2 - Using email. In this part the student will use e-mail software tools and techniques to compose and send messages and manage incoming emails effectively.
• Stage 3 - Using the Internet. Within this unit you learn how to use browser software to navigate web pages. Use browser tools to search for information from the internet. Use browser software to communicate information online and follow and understand the need for safety and security practices when working online.
• Stage 4 - Improving Productivity Using IT. This part covers planning the use of appropriate IT systems and software to meet requirements. Use IT systems and software efficiently to complete planned tasks and review the selection and the use of IT tools to make sure that work activities are successful.
• Stage 5 - User Fundamentals. This final part will cover the use of IT systems to meet needs and organise, store and retrieve information efficiently. Also, you learn how to follow and understand the need for safety and security practices and how to carry out routine maintenance of IT systems and respond to routine IT system problems.

Gavin added:

Overall, the course was well balanced and the feedback from our students has been very positive. The tutor, Anne Walter, was fantastic and really helped every individual get through each stage."

John Williams (OPG, Plymouth Mal Centre) said:

Great course, especially for those who hate exams at the end, because there aren't any! I feel so much more confident on computers now and its thanks to this course."

Jade Jones (Plymouth Mail Centre OPG) said:

I really enjoyed the course, even though I knew some elements to ICT beforehand, I still found a lot of the stuff Anne taught us, to be very useful."

Whilst Anna Zukowska (Plymouth Mail Centre) added:

Anne our tutor is brilliant! Her confident teaching style was what got me through the course."

Because of the popularity of this course, another level 1 course has already started and Gavin is also looking at setting up ICT User Fundamentals Level 2 course for some time in 2016.