Day release training in computer hardware, software and networks is available free to staff working in small enterprises in Hastings.
It’s a 24 week course and the fees are paid for by the Hastings Regeneration Partnership! The next course starts in September.
Getting Ahead in IT (GAIT) is the course that provides the Information Technology training and skills necessary for local employees. With trained staff on the payroll, businesses can virtually eliminate the need to call out expensive computer contractors to carry out installation and maintenance work on their hardware, software and on their company’s networks. Trained staff are also much more able to provide technical support and assistance to other members of staff in the businesses.
This day-release computer course has now been running for three years. Already, over 30 IT qualifications have been studied for and achieved by the GAIT trainees. Hastings Regeneration Partnership decided to fund the course as few local businesses have in-house computer expertise and few local people have these specialised skills.
Course leader, Mr Locke says:
“When computers need repairing, maintaining and updating, the delays in calling-in specialist contractors can cost businesses dearly. Having IT expertise in-house is invaluable.”
High achieving former GAIT trainee, Sarah, says:
“I thought returning to college after so many years would be difficult, but the lecturers and support staff at Hastings College were wonderful. They provided me with a fantastic learning experience and a major boost to my career.”
Like Sarah, many former GAIT students have returned to Hastings College to study for further IT qualifications and improve their IT support skills.
As a direct result of Sarah attending the GAIT course, one of her former work colleagues, Lee, enrolled on the GAIT course in the following September. As a result of Lee’s training, he has gained promotion and has become the company’s network technician. This is exactly what the course is for. GAIT was set up to: improve the IT maintenance skills of the local workforce, to increase the efficiency of local small enterprises and to encourage lifelong learning.
Local manufacturing company, Focus SB, released both Sarah and Lee for training. Focus SB’s training manager, Mr Turner said:
”As a small manufacturing company, we never imagined it possible to have our own IT technicians on the payroll. But with GAIT, we have been able to train up two people. All we had to do was release our staff for training once a week. We now handle most of our IT issues in house. We have been able to invest in our staff as well as save costs in regularly calling out IT contractors.”
GAIT is a 24 week day-release course which is free to local businesses, voluntary organisation and community groups. Numbers are strictly limited, so contact the course leader, Mr Locke now for more information. Tel: 01424 442222.
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This page last updated: 22/06/2005