Fife Women's Technology Centre

Project purpose

The Fife Women’s Technology Centre (FWTC) is a community based learning centre providing training in new technology to unemployed women since 1990.  Although the project works with women from a range of situations, it particularly targets those with few or no qualifications and those who have been out of work for extended periods, for example, carers, lone parents, black and minority ethnic women and women with disabilities. The project has recently been extended to unemployed men offering industry recognised IT Essentials and Cisco networking courses to help them get back into work.

Project approach

FWTC runs positive outreach programmes to attract learners. Courses are free with funding provided from Fife Council and the European Social Fund. Learners are also able to benefit from assistance for childcare and travel costs. At the start of the course learners take an assessment to help staff understand how they learn best. This ensures that each learner’s style of learning is valued and past experiences, especially negative ones from school, are addressed. As learners engage with the course, additional learning materials are sourced from universities and colleges to keep pace with their progress. As part of the course learners also have the opportunity to do work experience which is introduced half way through learning programmes so learners can build confidence and consolidate skills. A programme of technology based activities is also offered in partnership with local schools for pupils at risk of exclusion. FWTC provides a high level of support to help learners at its centre attend courses regularly as many join the programme after long periods of inactivity from learning and work. Staff receive additional training to help them achieve this in the most effective way.

Key benefits and impact

• Low drop-out rates due to additional and targeted supported
• Local employers request learners from FWTC as they are confident they are well supported and come with a good level of competency.
• 75 per cent of women on progression courses go on to obtain employment on course completion – many of the women were long term unemployed before starting the programme. This figure is 71 per cent for men.
• 80 per cent of women on core courses – specifically targeted at those with no qualifications on starting – go on to obtain employment.
• Some learners progress to degree level, HND and nursing and social work qualifications.
  
  

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