Johannesburg — The Community Education Computer Society (CECS), a non-profit organisation, is offering seven computer courses for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and communities.

Each course takes up to three weeks to complete. CECS, launched in 1985, is one of SA's oldest national computer-training organisations, training mostly previously disadvantaged individuals. The organisation trains an average of 30 students per session.

"The aim of the course is to empower individuals with computer skills and an understanding of the issues of the information society," says CECS regional manager Arnold Pietersen.

"There is always a need for upgrading and equipping staff members with different skills sets. Some NGOs have members who might not be computer literate such as the youth organisations."

All the courses, except the informational literacy course, are certified.

"We are working with the Link Centre at Wits University together with another 20 NGOs and CBOs to get the information literacy course aligned with the unit standard," Pietersen says. "At the same time we are working to get accreditation from ISETT SETA. All our other courses are recognised by international bodies."

The courses are: an information literacy course certificated by Wits University; an international computer driver's licence recognised by the ICDL Foundation; a secretarial and administration diploma recognised by Pitmans; a PC repair and networking course recognised by CompTIA; PC fundamentals; Web design; and a free keyboard and mouse skills course.

Pietersen feels the course fee of up to R3 500 is reasonable since some of the courses are discounted. "Our prices are at least 50% less than what is charged commercially," he says. The amount covers the course material, trainers' cost, equipment required and overheads.

"The courses are not funded or subsidised in any way. Our students have been gaining free access to the Internet on Fridays since we started operating in 1991."