Free Computer Courses?

Well now why didn’t you say she’s a looker? Geez man, I just remembered where I had seen a free computer course available, one on one, no fees for the first 100 lessons, personalised service, might even offer pick-up and drop-off service as well.

LOL

Plus she’s a looker so instead of sitting at home tinkering away, like the rest of us, she’s been out partying.

like, plain old ugly people like the rest of us are condemned to the tundras of loneliness while only the beautiful get to play? i find that statement offensive.

I ment buy computers there.

I didn’t think Charity Computers were good at all, and don’t but computers there, I bought one for my dauthter, she said it was hopless, and wouldn’t perform, also they put themselves on my computer as administrator, so therefore someone there could access my computer, which they did and had porn on it.

Haha got to love the fact that I did the exact same search and completely missed the PCUG website. I wouldn’t call that lack of computer skills, I’d call that lack of attention to detail.

I’ll admit that Swaggie almost hit the nail on the head with the description of said person.

She quit school after year 10 and has been basically working bars and after school care ever since. So there is never a need for her to tinker with a computer. Plus she’s a looker so instead of sitting at home tinkering away, like the rest of us, she’s been out partying.

Thanks for all the info guys, her first task is going to be to navigate her way to this post. Let’s see if she passes.

sloppery said :

el said :

It’s entirely possible for anyone over the age of 30 to have not had access to computers in school.

Possible, but unlikely. I’m in my mid 30’s, and went to a fairly crappy country NSW school, and they had computers even when I started in the late 80’s. And even if I hadn’t touched computers at school, surely I would have had some access between then and now?

Very possible, I can’t say how likely or unlikely it is though.

Late 20’s here, very limited access to computers at school, and most of the computer curriculum that was taught is long since completely irrelevant (the Apple ][e isn’t really a driving force on the corporate desktop now, is it?). All Canberra schooling.

It’s also possible that this person left school and found work that didn’t involve using computers. I’d been in the workforce for almost 10 years before I had to touch a computer even occasionally for work purposes.

Thankfully I had enough access to computers (as well as an interest in them) at home to teach myself – I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for those with no computer skills these days.

Hopefully the OP can find help for their friend to get them skilled up and employable.

el said :

astrojax said :

sloppery said :

I’m sure there’s more to the story, but isn’t this something you learn in school (if not before)?

didn’t have such new fangled things like computers when i was in school – mebbe this is an older job-seeker…

It’s entirely possible for anyone over the age of 30 to have not had access to computers in school.

Possible, but unlikely. I’m in my mid 30’s, and went to a fairly crappy country NSW school, and they had computers even when I started in the late 80’s. And even if I hadn’t touched computers at school, surely I would have had some access between then and now?

Charity Computers and Belconnen Community Centre (near the library) both offer computer courses. Both have excellent reputations, but BCC might be better given your friend’s COMPLETE ignorance. BCC is definitely free, too. Not sure about Charity.

Charity computers will also sell your friend a very cheap refurbished computer if she doesn; have one yet.

The Tuggers course sounds like it’s worth investigating.

Depending on age, hours worked and whether their registered as a job seeker (you can be employed and be registered as a job seeker)she may be elligible to do a course funded under the Productivity Places Program. Contact centrelink or a JSA provider and discuss options.

I think some of the respondents here are just unhelpful; it’s a pretty simple query…

I did computer studies as an elective when I was at school, but none of what I learned then is of any use now, anyway. And I’ve never known of a puter course that was any good… this sort of thing can’t be learned; it must be discovered. Whenever my mum asks me a question about using her puter, my standard response is “did you click on everything?”. I tend to find that the only generational difference in computer usage is that the older peeps don’t tend to open as many menus or click on as many options, possibly for fear they will make a mistake.

I’d be getting your friend to sit at a puter and click on everything until she knows what everything does. Just make sure you also tell her how to reboot if everything goes pear-shaped. Best puter curriculum around.

Failing that, I would also suggest she join Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s Digital Storytelling class. While puter classes can be dull, a workshop like this would put a very real purpose to using the machine, which would hold the interest, and all the puter use training she’d need is a 5 minute tutorial on pointing and clicking. Plus there’d be someone around who could help if need be.

I hope things work out for your friend.