An independent evaluation of the ‘ICT in Calderdale Breakthrough Project’ concludes that the programme has been “particularly successful in reaching hard to reach groups” and created a coordinated network of ICT training in local communities. It has made a positive impact on small businesses and developed high level courses at Calderdale College for people wanting to train as network engineers. Over 1,100 qualifications have been awarded.

The project has been administered and delivered by a partnership of local organisations who have worked together to access complex funding and to provide a coordinated approach to training. Calderdale College, Halifax Opportunities Trust, the Acorn Centre in Todmorden, Cartwheel Centre in Elland, Ash Green in Mixenden and North Halifax Partnership have been key players. Action Halifax, the Department for Education & Skills and the Big Lottery Fund provided principal funds.

“All the partners involved can seen the difference that we’ve made in Calderdale and want to carry on working together to build on that success”, said project manager, Naomi Metcalfe of Calderdale College. “Not many people are aware of the breadth and extent of the project. It is something that we can be very proud of. The lasting legacy is nine computer centres across Calderdale that cover the main population centres. Keeping our communities and businesses at the forefront of the computer age is vital to the region’s success. We are now inviting voluntary and community groups to come forward to benefit from our new ‘ICT for Communities’ project. We can help with training as well as computer hardware.”

One group which has already benefited is the Boothtown Partnership Centre. “The ICT BreakthroughProject has been absolutely amazing for us”, says Boothtown Partnership secretary Vicky Robertshaw. “A tutor brings laptops in on Thursday evenings and it’s got people into the building who wouldn’t even get out of their chair before. It’s brought out the old and the young - we have learners aged between 20 and 92 - and the response has been so tremendous that we’ve had to put people on waiting lists”.

Community groups interested in benefiting from the new ICT for Communities Project should get in touch with Naomi Metcalfe or Tammy Greenwood at Calderdale College on Halifax 357357.