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News archive Education minister visits Plymouth UK online centre Jim Knight, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), paid a visit to the North Prospect Community UK online centre in Plymouth earlier today. The Minister spoke to customers at the Foliot Road centre and heard how using computers and the internet had helped them improve their lives. He also met with the Internet Centre Manager, Paul Keller, and Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres, to discuss the growing 'digital divide' between those using IT (information technology) and those left behind. UK online centres are based across England, and provide free or low-cost access to technology and support in using it to around three million people a year. They also deliver online courses to help and encourage learners to progress on to further learning opportunities. Jim Knight said: "It was a real pleasure to meet people at the North Prospect Community centre, and a surprise to realise many of them had started off with little or no experience of using computers. I was impressed both by their progress and by the dedication of centre staff in helping them use technology to do anything from Excel spreadsheets to surfing the internet. "It was obvious that being able to use computers and the internet really can make a big difference to people's lives, opening up whole new worlds of opportunity and interest. IT skills are important for the community, the local economy, and the social and economic health of the UK as a whole - helping people connect with work, with e-government and council services, and with each other. The North Prospect Community UK online centre is a great resource for Plymouth, and a great way for people to get into technology." Centre Manager Paul Keller added: "We were delighted the Minister could come along and see for himself what we have to offer to people in Plymouth. Whether people want to get a qualification or just get online, keep their minds active or keep up with their kids - even if they just want to avoid the queues at the post office by filling in forms on the internet - we're here to help. Around 25 adults come in every week to use the computers, or to follow courses in anything from IT to literacy and numeracy. We also work with groups of young people from 6 to 19 years of age, who come in to do IT sessions in our internet café." Helen Milner concluded: "Technology and the skills to use it are fast becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. With 90 per cent of new jobs now requiring IT skills and 90 per cent of public services now available online, those not using computers and the internet are missing out. What's more is that it's often those with most to gain from technology who have the least access to it. UK online centres aim to bridge the 'digital divide' between the ‘have-nets’ and the 'have-nots', and North Prospect Community centre is doing just that for people in Plymouth." For more information on the North Prospect Community Learning Centre, call Paul Keller on 01752 551862. Ends For more information on this press release, please contact Abi Stevens on 0778 666 0689. Notes to editors
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