Computer training skills to be offered from Ellon centre

18:20 27th February 2009

Computer training skills are to be provided through a host of new courses available at a training facility in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Banff and Buchan College has made the move in order to offer computer training skills to 100,000 people in Scotland over the course of the next year, reports the Press and Journal.

Technology Counts Scotland has found that major skills gaps are affecting IT professionals across the country, despite the fact that 70 per cent of Scottish employees have entered IT careers.

Nearly 50 staff at Aberdeenshire council enrolled on a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) course in order to be able to offer advice and knowledge form problems experienced on Microsoft Windows.

Tom Gray, ICT team leader at the council, told the website: "The staff taking part in the course work in our IT department on the service desk offering technical help to people across the entire council."

He added that it ensured all employees were working to the same level, while they were also able to boast an additional qualification.

The government recently launched a new apprenticeship scheme which could encourage more young people to seek IT training.