Strabane group launches digital hub
Strabane Community Unemployed Group has launched a new digital hub for residents to learn creative skills, following a £5,000 feasibility study funded by the Housing Executive’s cohesion unit.
The study provided the information needed to secure National Lottery funding of more than £350,000 over the next five years.
Local people can now complete digital courses, taught in partnership with the North West Regional College, at the Upper Main Street site without having to travel further afield.
The digital hub is furnished with industry-standard creative IT equipment including a virtual reality system and 3D printer and will offer courses in software development, app design, creative digital media production, and journalism.
Upon completion, the courses could allow entry to university and lead to students achieving a degree in different fields of digital design and media.
Strabane Community Unemployed Group will also partner with local schools to run digital skills workshops and sessions featuring the new tech.
Digital Hub coordinator Tim Jenkins said: “We provide a meeting place for the unemployed and disadvantaged to gain training, qualifications and opportunities regardless of race, colour or creed.
“We want to ensure that those residents furthest from the labour market have an equal opportunity to access digital skills training, a sector that can provide high-value jobs for the area.
“The aim of the hub is to allow those with digital technology interests to pursue experience and skills in those areas, and for those who already have the skills but not the qualifications, to attain them, enabling that next step towards employment.
“People now have access to new, interesting technologies to which they wouldn’t normally have access to.
“We would not have won this generous funding from The National Lottery Community Fund if it wasn’t for the initial Housing Executive grant for the feasibility study.
“Thanks to Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Eddie Breslin and his colleagues for all the support and help they have shown us over the years and, of course, thank you to National Lottery players.”
Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Eddie Breslin said: “We were delighted to fund the comprehensive feasibility study and help Strabane Community Unemployed Group secure this vital lottery funding.
“The new digital hub is a huge asset for Strabane and will help give local people who are seeking employment the valuable qualifications and mentoring needed to improve their job prospects.
“The hub will also engage with schools in the area to provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn.”