KINGSTON, Jamaica — Thirty-seven senior citizens, aged 62 to 89 years old, have obtained City & Guilds qualifications after excelling in a digital literacy programme.

The Introduction to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Proficiency course was conducted over an eight-week period by the HEART/NSTA Trust in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

Participants were engaged in six structured modules focused on computer hardware, computer software, understanding basic operations, directories and file management, understanding the internet and online communication and networking.

Eight seniors, who emerged as the top performers in the course, were rewarded with laptops by the Universal Service Fund (USF) on Friday.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, who handed over the devices during a ceremony at the NCSC offices in Kingston, said the success of the seniors in the course is proof that people are never too old to learn.

“I think it is going to inspire several other senior citizens across the country, not just to get involved in computer or digital literacy but just to get up and to push past the barriers,” he noted.

He added that the ministry is working to make the programme available to a wider pool of senior citizens islandwide.

“We have a lot of plans for our senior citizens. I’m hoping that we can continue… to provide the space and the leadership that is needed to really get these things going. I think that we should have more of these programmes, not just in digital literacy but everything…across the country, outside of Kingston,” he opined.

Training for St Mary participants is expected to commence in June.
– JIS