The setting up of UK online centres aimed to bridge the gap between those in society who had access to ICT and were able to use it competently and confidently and those who did not. It was hoped that the centres would cater for people in need of help with basic skills, lone parents, minority ethnic groups, unemployed people, people with disabilities and people over 60 who are not involved in learning activities.

This document:

- success in reaching digitally excluded target groups, such as
  unemployed people, single parents, people with disabilities, minority
  ethnic groups, people with basic skills needs and older people;
- the issue of dead-weight;
- benefits to participants such as ICT skills learned and improvements in
  ICT skills;
- progression of participants to college, Learndirect courses or
  employment;
- satisfaction levels, achievements, changes to employability, confidence
  gained and other benefits; and
- the role and impact of community and voluntary sectors in attracting
  socially excluded and digitally excluded groups.

Around 6,000 online centres were set up, some from scratch, some in libraries, and some in the community, voluntary and further education sectors. A wide range of activities were provided, general computer use, rather than Internet use, being the main activity. Using the centres to send email was popular and there was an unexpected social result in that the centres were found to be good places for meeting new people.

The centres have attracted the target groups mentioned helping them to use the Internet and gain confidence using ICT. Many users have progressed to further learning and feel that their chances of gaining work have improved. There have been broader community benefits with community-based centres finding that the online centre part of their operation had knock-on effects on their other services.

People in need of help with basic skills, lone parents, minority ethnic groups, unemployed people, people with disabilities and people over 60 who are not involved in learning activities.

In all £252 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund was set aside to set up online centres in the most deprived areas of England, for example for premises and equipment. In the longer term funding will come from regeneration funding, charging for use, delivering funded learning, social enterprise and charitable trusts.

University for Industry (Ufi Ltd)
Phone: +44 114 291 5000
ukonlinecentredata@ufi.com

01/01/2000

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Skills improvement