The Northern Ireland Prison Service is participating in a pilot scheme aimed at adding ICT to essential skills training for adults.

Inmates from Magilligan and Maghaberry have signed up for the new computer course, which it is hoped will be available throughout the Province by September 2007.

At present, the essential skills programme run by the Department of Employment and Learning is geared towards improving literacy and numeracy standards for adults with gaps in their education.

Sylvia McGranaghan, who is running the pilot programme in Magilligan Prison, said that employers were looking not only for people that are literate and numerate but also have basic IT skills.

“So many employers are looking for people with a basic knowledge of computers, so adding an IT element to essential skills training could greatly improve the chances of prisoners finding a job,” she said.

“The inmates on the course are really enjoying it. They are very keen and they want to learn to use their computer skills. They are working very hard. They have reached Level 1 numeracy and literacy so they are able to cope with the type of work they are doing,” she added.

The pilot scheme has been organised by the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in conjunction with City and Guilds

As prisoners do not have direct access to the internet, they are using CD roms, magazines and books to research and obtain information for their coursework.

Mark Feeney, from CCEA, who is co-ordinating the pilot project, welcomed the involvement of Magilligan and Maghaberry prisons.

“Essential skills are adult qualifications used to help people who may have slipped through the traditional educational net. The majority of prisoners have gaps in their education and we try to give them a chance to develop their skills and improve their chances of employability.

“It actually builds on the skills they already have and enables them to apply these new found skills in the job market when they are released into the community

“This year, with the funding we have received from the Department of Employment and Learning, we have created this ICT Essential Skills pilot which will be delivered in conjunction with City and Guilds.

“With this new ICT pilot, learners will be given the chance to apply something that is meaningful to them. It is based on the idea of purposeful learning – not only are they learning solid ICT skills but they are applying it to a vocational area in which they are interested.”

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