FREE Trainings at the ADOC Center

The ADOC Project, initiated by the ADOC Secretariat in Taiwan, launches another ICT project in Papua New Guinea.   The aim of the project is "To bridge the digital divide in Papua New Guinea and create digital opportunities".  I was honored to work alongside the ADOC Secretariat and the Chinese/ Taipei (Taiwan) Trade Mission with the University of Papua New Guinea to coordinate the project.

Participants of one of August Trainings - Basics in Computing - Part 1

Since July 1 of 2011, numerous trainings in computing have been conducted at the APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC), University of Papua New Guinea.  The project had attracted participants from various sectors in and around Port Moresby.  The current focus is centered around the disadvantaged groups which covers the majority of the population within the settlement areas and suburban areas within the city.

The ADOC Project is a collaborative initiative and I have raised my hands up to connect these partner organization with the community.  Over the past 13 Months, I have trained over 500 participants to undergo various trainings in Basic to Intermediate computer trainings.  The trainings are all free for the basic computing courses.  

The current basic programs range from;

- Basics in Computing Part 1

This training introduces participants to the basics of using a computer which every person needs to know.  It covers the different computer hardware and software in an overview approach.  It also provides an atmosphere for the participants to adjust to the digital tools needed to proceed with the use of computing facilities.  It focuses on the exploration into the operation of the operating system and its interface.  The training is designed for the starters.

- Basics in Computing Part 2

 This training elaborates more on the specific functions of some of the main components of the use of computing facilities, especially with the use of mouse and keyboard.  It stresses on the different mouse buttons, the keyboard character positions and placements and further the arrangement of alpha numeric characters on the keyboard.  Much of the time would be spent on learning typing basics, which this training introduces.  The training is a followup from the previous training, part 1.

- Basics in Computing Part 3

In this training, participants should now be familiar with most of the basic functions, commands and actions they need to know about basic computing.  This training introduces the use of software programs to perform various tasks such as Typing Texts, Formatting texts(alignment, justification, underline, bold, italics, sizing fonts, etc..), spacing (spacebar), moving onto new lines(enter), deleting, redo/ Undo, adding and manipulating images and saving files.  This training is a progressive training from part 2 and is also a beginners training.

- Internet Basics

This training introduces participants to the basic concepts of the Internet and how it works.  It further explains the fundamentals of Internet technologies, the uses and the purpose of the Internet.  Participants are given the opportunity to access the Internet, surf and have a hands on experience on the use of Internet.  General terms such that are needed by every beginner is introduced in this training.  Those that include, search engines, address bar, website address, email address, keywords, search, protocols, website and others are introduced in this training.  The training is designed for the beginners.

- Creating Emails

 This training is a progressive training from the Internet Basics training.  It introduces participants into the uses of internet in communication and importance to time in today's business world.  The training involves the creation of email accounts, sending and receiving emails and managing email data.The training is beginners - intermediate level.

- Managing Electronic Files

This training is an enrichment training program for every computer literate person.  It introduces participants to the importance of managing files electronically and how important it is to manage files orderly.  The training focuses on the standards particularly the file naming conventions and document hierarchy structures for effective file management.  This training is a beginner - intermediate level training.

- Learning Keyboard Shortcuts

This training is designed to stress on the importance of time in today's business environment.  The focus entails around the use of keyboard keys to execute various functions that is normally done with the use of mouse.  This is a very useful training which helps participants value the importance of keyboard.  The training is for intermediate users.

Apart from the above basic computer trainings, there are other specialized trainings targeted towards respective target audiences.  The specialized trainings have fees which are charged at affordable rates to cater for the expenses such as stationery and refreshments in some courses.  Alongside specialized trainings, there are trainings which are designed based on demand. 

So far, the ADOC Center have trained more than 800 participants.  Of the 800 participants, I have trained over 62.5% of those participants since the establishment in July 2011, all for FREE.  Around 55% of those that I have trained at the ADOC Center were from the community while 45% were students.  Almost 60% were male and slightly above 40% were female participants.  Besides, the age gaps varies as there were various trainings conducted for the participants.

In regard to supporting the Government's vision 2050, the trainings I have already conducted addresses the issues of;

- Effective Leadership & Good Governance

- Healthy, Educated and Skilled Citizens

- Enabling Citizen Values & Participation

- Financial Capacity

- Performance & Accountability

These, in broader perspectives have contributed to;

- Support and promote education

- solve Law and Order/ Crime Reduction

- Equate Gender Balance

- supporting Health sectors

- Create employment opportunities in digital opportunities

It is not only the trainings that are conducted.  Evaluations and Follow-ups are also carried out to assess the progress of the trainings.  So far positive results have been obtained in terms of the project contributing to achieving the Government's Plan and Vision.  To date, a number of participants have secured placement in education and employment, a number of them have established small businesses and there are some who have now assisted in conducting trainings at the Center.  

There is a schedule for a workshop in October 2012 for the assistant trainees to undergo formal training to become certified trainers and I am in the process of organizing the formalities with the National Training Council of PNG to make these possible.