UK's Digital Literacy gets new boost from Microsoft, learndirect, UK online centres & OCR

Available online and through participating learndirect and UK online centres, the curriculum aims to help close the nation's skills gap, supporting the government's ‘Skills for Life' goals and targets set by the Leitch Review.

The launch comes in the context of new data indicating that UK citizens lack the skills needed to prosper in the digital society. According to the results of a ICM survey released today, almost a third of the UK adult population say they have poor (13%) or no computer skills (18%) and one in six workers today (16%) feel they lack the IT skills needed to do their job adequately.

'Today's announcement truly demonstrates the potential of public / private partnerships to deliver significant benefits for individuals and society,' said Gordon Frazer, Managing Director, Microsoft UK and Vice President Microsoft International. 'The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum is designed to equip people with the skills to succeed in the workplace and improve aspects of life at home; it also lends support to the Government's strategy by helping to build a UK workforce with world class skills.'

The ICM survey commissioned by Microsoft revealed that almost half of all adults in the UK today (47%) feel their computer skills are in need of improvement and 43% are concerned their skills are not keeping pace with advances in IT and technology. Fear is one of the main barriers preventing people learning more about technology with 23% citing this as a reason why they are unable to improve their computer skills. Over one in ten (12%) feel excluded as a result of ineffective computer skills. These issues will be the centre of discussion at an event involving government and industry leaders at Central Hall in Westminster today where David Lammy MP, The Minister for Skills, will join Microsoft and partners to launch the Digital Literacy curriculum.

David Lammy, Minister for Skills said: "In our knowledge economy we must ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to build their skills and realise their potential. The new qualification will give students a nationally recognised qualification from one of the world's most respected businesses. It also gives those taking the qualification a chance to build not only their IT skills but also improve on their literacy and numeracy.'

According to the ICM survey, 19% of people feel they don't have the basic computer skills needed to benefit from tasks such as shopping online. More worryingly, 18% said they were not confident in their ability to protect themselves and their family online and 12% said they had not heard about online safety tools or practices. Furthermore, one out of five (21%) parents felt their computer skills aren't effective enough to help their children with homework. In completing the Digital Literacy curriculum, participants will learn the computer skills needed to get more out of life together with important guidance on safety and security for people concerned about using PCs and the Internet for the first time.

The Digital Literacy curriculum offers the chance to take a recognised qualification with OCR. It supports ‘progression' which is vital for learners, providing a crucial stepping stone to more advanced ICT skills training. Clara Kenyon, Qualifications Director at OCR said, 'The Digital Literacy curriculum opens up learning to people who may otherwise lack an obvious entry point to gain vital ICT skills. It has the potential to lead to more advanced ICT skills training, and also embeds a significant amount of literacy and numeracy skills. The whole course is delivered in a way which is relevant, accessible, and can help re-engage learners based on an increased level of confidence.'

Software Donation
The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum is a course that will help people to develop the confidence they need with computers, empowering them to use technology to get more out of life. UK online centres aim to help everyone in society become skilled and confident citizens at ease with ICT. In order to support this goal, Microsoft will provide one of its largest software donations in the UK to qualifying UK online centres based in the voluntary and community sector. Around 500 eligible UK online centres are expected to apply for their share of the estimated £3-6 million software donation over the next six to twelve months.

Pablo Lloyd is Deputy Chief Executive at Ufi, the organisation behind learndirect and UK online centres. Commenting on the survey, he said, 'Microsoft's survey highlights how people can really see a difference in their lives once they've learned how to use computers and surf the web. They'll be able to shop online, keep in touch with friends and learn new skills to help with their jobs or to get a job if they don't have one - benefiting themselves, their families and the wider economy too. We're more than happy to be working with Microsoft to help people get the most from computers and the internet.'

About the Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum
Part of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential commitment, the Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum is a free, easy-to-access course, available online for individuals seeking to develop basic computer and technology skills. It helps people to develop the essential skills they need to use computers with confidence – whether at work or for personal use. The course comprises five easy-to-navigate modules which learners will be able to complete in their own time and at their own pace:
> Computer Basics will introduce learners to the fundamentals of computing, explaining the components of a computer and exploring how to use basic operating systems.
> Learners will be shown the ins and outs of The Internet, finding out everything from browsing web pages and navigating web sites to using search engines and exchanging emails.
> Productivity Programmes providing information on the fundamentals of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases to use in business, education and at home.
> Digital Lifestyles will introduce learners to digital technologies and how to manage their photographs, videos and music.
> Computer security and privacy will help build confidence in computing by explaining the risks and threats to computer security and privacy so that learners will be able understand and prevent them.

Getting started with the Digital Literacy curriculum
People with internet access can go online and start learning today: www.microsoft.com/uk/dlc. Alternatively, tutor support is available in learndirect, UK online centres and Microsoft IT Academies and you can find a centre near you by calling the helpline on 0800 101 901