Computer Skills

This workshop shows you how to safely connect to the internet, how to navigate you way around searching for and accessing services such as specific websites, online banking, online shopping and booking essential appointments, for example with your GP.

Join the internet revolution! This session is the perfect introduction for those feeling left behind in this internet age and want to know how to use the internet.

The session is aimed at those who have no, or very little, knowledge of computers and want to get online.  In plain non-technical language, it will take you through the basics of how to use the internet to search for information, searching for activities and classes, and how to make it easy to find the information again. You will learn how to fill in online forms to register for, or book activities, shop online, apply for passports, etc. You will also learn how to ensure that you stay safe while doing so. In the session you will learn about:

• Different ways to access the internet
• How to search
• Opening links
• How to fill in online forms
• Creating favourite websites
• Copying and pasting links in internet browsers.

The session includes a mix of taught and practice activities.

Join the digital revolution!  This session is the perfect introduction for those who are feeling left behind in this internet age with little or no knowledge of computers and want to know how to use email.

We will look at the importance of having an email account in the online world, how to get your own email account (for free) and how to send and receive emails.

In the session you will learn:

• How to set up an account
• How to open, read and reply to emails
• How to send documents or pictures using email
• How to spot fraudulent emails and how to stay safe online when using email

This session includes a mix of taught and practice activities.

This session is the perfect introduction for those who want to know how to communicate and stay in touch with friends and family using video applications such as Zoom and social media sites like Facebook.

Aimed at those who have very little or no knowledge of computers and in plain non-technical language, this workshop will take you through the basics of communicating online.

You will also learn:

• What equipment you need
• Downloading the application and making it easy to find and open
• Setting up an account
• Joining a meeting (for example an online activity or exercise class)
• Setting up your own meeting
• Meeting options

How to use social media:

• What social media is
• Setting up an account
• Privacy settings
• The benefits of being on social media
• The disadvantages of social media

This session includes a mix of taught and practice activities.

On this Introduction to Word course for Beginners, you will learn the key tools and skills that will allow you to create professional Word documents, from getting to know the screen layout through to utilising headers and footers and creating consistently stylish documents.

• Editing text
• Saving and Printing Documents
• Utilising Word's spell check and thesaurus features
• Applying formatting to documents
• Cut, Copy & Paste
• Text Alignment, Margins & Indents
• Bulleting and Numbering
• Using the headers & footers

Excel is a powerful application and that’s why we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to getting started with Excel to take you from opening a spreadsheet, to entering and working with data, and finishing with saving and sharing.

It’s everything you need to know to get started with Excel.

• Opening a spreadsheet
• Managing your worksheets
• Entering data
• Basic calculations
• Unlocking functions
• Saving and sharing your work

Our PowerPoint course is suitable for those looking for a beginner level introduction to this popular presentation software.

• Creating a new blank presentation
• Entering and editing text
• Resetting to default formatting, adding slides
• The principles of presentation planning and design
• Applying different themes
• Saving a presentation
• Viewing the presentation as a slide show

This short course is the perfect introduction for those who are feeling left behind in this internet age and want to know how to use a Windows computer to access the wealth of information that can be found on the internet. It is aimed at those who have no, or very little, knowledge of computers and how to get online.

In plain non-technical language, it will take you through the very basics of what a computer is, how to operate it and look at how to use your computer to access and use the internet to; search for information, access online services like banking, benefits, taxes, passports and other government services. how to shop online and how to access social media to keep in touch with friends and family.

It will also look at the importance of having an email account in the online world, how to get your own email account (for free) and how to send and receive emails.

The course will have a mix of taught and practise sessions to help embed your new skills and covers the following topics:

• What a computer is and the different types of computers available
• Using a keyboard, mouse, and touchpad
• Understanding the Windows 10 screen
• How to find and open different applications
• How to access the internet and search using your computer
• How to save websites you visit regularly
• Staying safe on the internet and understand what can be trusted
• Accessing online services, filling out online forms to book appointments, holidays, apply for jobs etc.
• Online shopping
• How to access social media websites and emails

Having mastered a Windows computer, this short course looks at using your computer to create things – files - how to save your projects safely and most importantly show you how to find them again!

Aimed at those who have a basic understanding of windows but now want to do more than just accessing the internet. In plain non-technical language, it will take you through how to create things (files) using your computer and how and where to save them.

We will look at creating files with WordPad and Paint and saving them to our computer, practise creating letters, newsletters and other documents, mixing text and images. We will also look at copying from a CD to a computer, how to transfer photos from a camera or mobile phone, look at how Windows stores your files using folders and how to create your own folders to get organised and be able to find those important files again.

The course will have a mix of taught and practise sessions to help embed your new skills and is specially designed to help you cover the following topics:

• What we mean by files and how Windows uses folders to organise your files
• How to save files from Windows apps, for example, WordPad, Paint
• Working with File Explorer
• Creating your own folders and moving them around to find files
• How to copy music files to your computer
• Where to find your downloaded files
• Using portable storage such as USB sticks
• How to transfer photos and other files from your phone or camera

Finding work in a digital world is a course designed to help people find and apply for jobs online using digital devices.

As a lot of jobs can now only be applied for online this course is designed to help students be able to use job sites to find and apply for jobs, as well as feel confident in researching about the company and role to have the best possible chance of success in an interview.

All students should complete the course with a knowledge of:

• How to write a cover letter
• How to produce an up-to-date CV
• Feel confident in joining and completing a virtual interview (which have become more commonplace today!)

Our aim is to get everyone, regardless of their experience with technology, happy, ready, and confident to apply for jobs online and have the best possible chance of success.

Why Essential Digital Skills?

To enable learners to develop the digital skills they need for life, work, or further study as set out in the National standards for essential digital skills and to provide reliable evidence of learners’ achievement in relation to the National standards for essential digital skills.

Entry requirement

This course is not suitable for beginners (For beginners please click on Computers for Beginners)

Although no formal entry requirements are required, it is essential that you have some knowledge of ICT and computer functions including:

• Turning on a device (including entering and updating any account information safely, such as a password)

• Using a mouse and keyboard for a computer, or touchscreen on a smartphone or tablet
• Use of accessibility tools (including assistive technology) such as changing display settings to make content easier to read
• Interacting with the home screen on a device
• Connecting to the internet (including Wi-Fi) safely and securely, and opening a browser 
• Opening and accessing an application on a device. Centres should carry out a initial assessment of each learner prior to the start of the qualification to identify their current digital skills capabilities and areas for development.

You will be invited to attend an induction and assessment session before starting the course, and from the results of your initial assessment we will discuss the level of the qualification you will study.

Qualification

• Entry 3 the focus is on developing skills for life and introducing learners to skills for work.
• Level 1 the focus is more on skills for work with a secondary focus on skills for life.

What You’ll Learn

The Essential Digital Skills Entry Level 3 and Level 1 courses include the following topics:

• Using devices and handling information
• Creating and editing
• Communicating
• Transacting
• Being safe and responsible online

The qualifications are appropriate for adults across a wide range of settings.

Where will it take me?

Essential Digital Skills Entry 3 and Level 1 qualifications enable progression onto further study, progression to employment, further learning, and opportunities within employment.

How Much will it cost?

No cost, if:

• You have lived in the EU for the previous 3 years
• You are not currently enrolled on an apprenticeship with another institution

About the Course

Functional Skills are applied qualifications which enable students to demonstrate skills through real-life assessments set in everyday contexts suitable for home and work life.

This 12-16 week, part-time, workshop style, course will have you working at your own pace with the help of a tutor, at varying degrees of difficulty, according to which level you are studying.

Entry requirement

Not suitable for beginners (there are other computer skill courses for beginners!).

Although no formal entry requirements are required, it is essential that you have some knowledge of ICT and computer functions and have a laptop or device to use and WIFI.

You will be invited to attend an induction and assessment session before starting the course, and from the results of your initial assessment we will discuss the level of the qualification you will study.

Qualification

You will take a Accredited Level 2 Award in Digital & IT Skills qualification when you are ready.

What You’ll Learn

The Accredited Level 2 Award in Digital & IT Skills courses include the following topics:

• Create, edit, and format documents in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Effectively use Email
• Awareness of risks and computer security
• Plan, manage and organise files
• Find and select information using search techniques
• Develop, present, and communicate information
• Create a document from various sources to be printed or viewed

Where it will take me

Accredited Level 2 Award in Digital & IT Skills qualifications enable progression onto further study, progression to employment, further learning, and opportunities within employment.

How much will it cost?

No cost, if:

• You have lived in the EU for the previous 3 years
• You are not currently enrolled on an apprenticeship with another institution

About the course:

This qualification is designed for people using technology:

• at work - upskilling / retraining to become a department expert
• in education - students
• returners to work
• job seekers
• personal career development

Entry Requirements:

The level 3 adult offer is part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee that was announced by the Prime Minister in September 2020. You will have an initial assessment to check it is for you.

Qualification

BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced) (ITQ)

• Ofqual regulated
• 24 UCAS points to aid entry into university

What You’ll Learn

This is a comprehensive, advanced qualification that will enhance learner’s productivity with IT skills going forward in their studies and careers.

The qualification comprises of five modules:

• Word Processing Software
• Spreadsheet Software
• Presentation Software
• Database Software
• Improving Productivity Using IT

How much will it cost?

Free of charge for all learners aged 24+ who do not have a full Level 3 qualification and 19- to 23-year-olds will continue to be eligible for their first full level 3 via the adult education budget.