This notice was first published on the 2^nd of May, 2007.

Entrepreneurs Over-Come Their Fear of Computers and Become IT Literate

Ten small business owners who started their businesses with the support of County Monaghan Partnership have recently completed a basic computer course hosted by the Partnership.

The course was delivered by Discover ICT, which is a cross border INTERREG funded project, targeted at small businesses, community groups and individuals who have little or no experience of computers and ICT. Paul Smith from Discover ICT delivered the training over six evenings from 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the I.T. Suite in the Castleblayney Enterprise Centre.

The great thing about the course was the tutor’s ability to adapt the course to meet the participants’ needs. On the first night each of the participants were asked for particular learning that they would like to take from the course, topics mentioned included, buying goods/services on the internet, designing flyers, using disks specific to their business to name but a few.

The type of businesses involved in the training varied from, construction, landscape gardening, holistic therapy, carpentry, pet grooming to bicycle/ trophy sales. All eight participants who completed the training have expressed an interest in undertaking a more advanced training course in the autumn and Discover ICT has agreed to facilitate this.

On completion of the course Discover ICT have offered additional support to the participants, these supports include advice and guidance on the selection of I.T. equipment for purchase, they will also call out and assist with the installation and set-up of the equipment on site for the participants.

The Community Economic Development Officer intends to work closely with the staff of DiscoverICT in an endeavour to meet the IT needs of all the new enterprise clients of County Monaghan Partnership.

This course has been very successful in engaging clients who were in business for up to seven years and had not previously engaged in any training programmes of County Monaghan Partnership. The participants are eager to learn with six of these already signed up for the Health and Safety workshops on the 26th April and the 10th May to facilitate the completion of a safety statements for their business.