Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

Equal to IT

Dai Havard MP attended the launch of the expanded Merthyr Equal project at its new premises 81 Honeysuckle Close in the Gurnos. The launch was a great success, with a number of local people signing up on the day, doubling the numbers involved.

Local members of the project, which grew out of - and essentially outgrew - the nearby Neighbourhood Learning Centre, have worked hard as volunteers to renovate the semi-derelict unit to make a well presented training centre to house a good mix of computer network equipment funded by the Equal Project and donated by local business. The University of Glamorgan GATES project has helped the group set up this facility to learn and expand their experience in building, maintenance and repair and networking of up to date PC technology. Funding was recently secured from Communities@One to fund the IT facilities beyond the lifetime of the Equal project, allowing the employment of a coordinator to open the facilities throughout the week and extend the availability of the facilities and training to the local community.

During his visit to the launch Dai Havard MP met with those involved and said:

“This is a really innovative project. It’s not just another IT suite to teach people how to use computers but instead gives practical skills training in how computers are put together and the technical aspects of how they can work together. This is exactly the type of training activity we need in our valleys. It is unique in my experience in training people to build and repair computers and small networks. This can simulate real time learning, developing real skills. I hope it can develop and in the future get accreditation for this training, so that formal recognition can be given to those who take part. I hope the University and others in the education sector can help with that. But whether the training helps local people get employment or just develop their interests and help solve their computer problems, it great to see communities working together to improve themselves and develop such innovative local facilities. I wish it every success in developing further and maybe we will even see a Third sector business develop from it. We should congratulate all those who have been involved in this unique project and I am sure they are on to a winner.”