St. Andrew’s Resource Centre has been well known for years in this area for providing services and training to local residents. So it came as no surprise to find that the most recent development in the Centre is a fantastic computer and IT training centre.

Elaine Kenny the Training room administrator is enthusiastic about the facility: “We started to develop the centre in the summer and continued until it is now fully functioning. It was important to have the room well-appointed and with top-class equipment and we were fortunate because our management wanted to develop an IT centre that would rival any commercial training organisation and we have achieved that.”

Looking around the room it is impressive, 12 Black Dell Computers face a trainer’s computer that has been linked to a multimedia projector. “We decided early on that the projector was essential to deliver good training and so it has proven.”

There is an open area to the left of the training machines that gives a feeling of space and openness. “That area is used for the student to get away from the computer if the trainer is showing how to develop a database or a spreadsheet without the PC getting in the way,” says Elaine.

A large sign on the wall proclaims ‘Training @ St. Andrew’s’. Elaine explains “Training is because that’s what we do, the @ signifies that we are an IT centre and St. Andrew’s is where we are. We have had a very positive reaction to the name.”

Shay Barry the resident IT trainer picks up the theme. “It was essential that we developed an identity for the IT Training function and the name plays its part in that. We have also added to our suite of courses and can now offer Typing, Basic Computers, Internet for beginners. Qualifications have been expanded also– we can now offer Microsoft Training, that’s called MOS, and IC3 which stands for Internet and Computing Core Certification and we are still able to deliver the ECDL which is still popular with students and some employers.”

Looking around the room it’s hard to not be impressed with the facility. The original goal of organising a centre that is of commercial standards has clearly been met and exceeded. Shay goes on, “we also tailor courses for groups, some might want a package of typing and basic computers without certification, others might want a longer course, say IC3 and we are developing a course for parents to help them ensure that their children are surfing the Internet safely.”

St. Andrew’s organise morning, afternoon and evening courses. To find our more about this excellent additional facility in the area contact Elaine on 01 677 1930 or email her on elaine.kenny@standrews.ie