E-Quals is a City & Guilds qualification aimed at beginners and includes I.T. principles, word, databases, spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations. The flexible course takes between forty to fifty hours to complete at times to suit individual learners at any of three venues: the Optimum Centre, Calderdale College in Francis Street and Bright Sparks in Club Lane.

Michelle Flannery from Ovenden has been going along in the evenings with her mother-in-law Mavis Barker. “We’ve both got new computers and it’s been very helpful”, she said. “We’ve learnt how to do databases and spreadsheets and how to write a letter. I’ve just had a baby and it gets me out of the house in an evening. Having the £50 award is an extra bonus!”

“The course has proved very popular with 250 enrolments across Calderdale since October and 25 people finishing the course so far”, said Judith Smith, flexible I.T. programme manager at Calderdale College. “We have government backing to reach mature learners and to ensure that they have the opportunity to access the new technology, so that we don’t end up with a two-tier system of those who can use it and those who can’t. We’re still signing people up for the course and for the £50 cash incentive. The clear message is that we have a great team and people are succeeding well. Anyone thinking of signing up can get more details by ringing 01422 381715.”

The Optimum Centre in 16 King Edward Street is open Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 8pm, Fridays 9am – 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am – 4.30pm; Calderdale College in Francis Street is open Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 8pm and 9am – 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays; and Bright Sparks in Club Lane is open Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 9pm and Fridays 9am – 1pm.