With seven of 23 planned public computer centers already open and veterans outreach training to begin next week, Cyber Learning program director Marshall Hughes updated the V.I. Next Generation Network’s board of directors on achievements and plans Tuesday.
Cyber Learning has been under contract since April to develop and implement a series of public computer centers offering basic tools training to residents.
Hughes told board members that the long-term goal of the digital literacy program is to have enrolled and trained 2,500 Virgin Islands residents by the end of the first phase of training in September 2013.
He said at least 1,000 students would be targeted for participation with the remainder consisting of residents seeking opportunities in information technology and government employees looking to increase their basic skills training.
Hughes said the process of “training the trainers,” those who will be teaching at the various computer centers, is under way. Out of the 100 training positions the program hopes to fill, 47 have been qualified to date, he said.
As an added incentive to participating in the new programs, the State University of New York at Potsdam has announced it will offer letters of completion for all participants who successfully complete the training course work.
A veterans outreach training is scheduled to begin Dec. 5 on St. Croix and Dec. 8 on St. Thomas. Once the basic training and an admittance test are successfully completed, the candidates will then be eligible for a variety of IT business skills programs offered online. More information will be announced next week, Hughes said.
Also on the agenda was an update on the broadband initiative. The viNGN board members include Gov. John de Jongh Jr. as chairman, Alfred Boschulte as vice-chairman, Julito Francis, Peter Schultz, Douglas Woodhead, Hugo Hodge and Keith O’Neale.
