UCOL offers Free and Easy

Media Release

Monday 24 June 2013
UCOL offers Free and Easy
It may sound too good to be true, but UCOL Wairarapa can help you brush up on your computer skills – for free!

The Government-funded programme is open to everyone; students or members of the public, young or old, computer savvy or not. As well as being Free and Easy, it’s also handy: The course is run at the Masterton campus at various times throughout the week.

Free and Easy is ideal for anyone wanting to learn their way around their computer, and particularly for students thinking about studying at UCOL who want to improve their computer skills to assist with their studies. They can master one or two skills that they need – they don’t have to commit to a full programme. Others may be between jobs and want to improve their computer skills before they go job hunting.

“From past experience we know some people get really hooked and go on to do a business or computing qualification,” says Campus Manager Angela Hewitt.

Free and Easy is just one of four programmes that have been reintroduced for the second semester.

Angela says she is excited at the ‘refreshed’ selection of qualifications in Business and Computing that UCOL Wairarapa now has available in addition to its popular National Certificate in Business Administration.

“We have responded to the resurgence of jobs in IT by taking a good look at what we offer and how we offer it,” she says. “For example, students can enrol in two NZ Diploma in Business papers and can make use of weekly support classes on campus if they wish.”

Computer buffs will be interested in two returning programmes; the National Certificate in Computing Level 2 (alongside the existing Level 3 and 4 programmes), and the Certificate for Advanced Computer Users (CACU), where advanced techniques such as programming, database, web design and multimedia are on offer along with business applications. It also provides a launching pad for the Diploma and Degree courses in IT on offer at UCOL. The CACU programme starts on 29 July.

The Free and Easy programme gives students the basic principles of computing and teaches them to use email effectively. It shows how to use Windows 7 and Microsoft Word which allows students to create newsletters and CVs, create PowerPoints and use Microsoft Publisher for desktop publishing, graphics and text layout formatting.
Angela says, “We are pleased to be able to offer these programmes and support people to achieve their full potential to learn and contribute to their communities.”

Free and Easy sessions start from Monday 8 July in room H1 and run on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, and on Thursdays between noon and 2.00pm.

For further information about Free and Easy Wairarapa, contact Cathi Boreham on 9462300 or 0800 GO UCOL.

Wairarapa UCOL holds its Open Day at the Chapel Street campus on Wednesday 26 June from 9.30am – 2.00pm.

ENDS

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