ECDL

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN COMPUTER DRIVING LICENCE?
The European Computer Driving Licence© (or ECDL) is the European-wide qualification which enables people to demonstrate their competence in computer skills.

Key benefits for you as an individual are that it:

- raises your level of competency in IT and computer skills.
- improves your productivity at home and work.
- requires no prior knowledge of IT or computer skills
- provides you with an industry recognised qualification

The ECDL consists of seven module tests which lead to the qualification.

The modules are:

Basic concepts of IT
Using the computer and managing files
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Presentation
Information and Communication

WHY STUDY ECDL AT VOLUNTARY ACTION LEWIS?
Through funding from the New Opportunities Fund, Voluntary Action Lewis have established a new project to provide ICT facilities and training to the community.

Our Learning Centre is equipped with a suite of 6 up to date computers, each with Internet access, reference software, and all running the latest Microsoft office applications.

Since April 2002, Voluntary Action Lewis has been an accredited ECDL Test Centre, offering both training and assessment through qualified ECDL tutors. Learners who decide to study here are also able to take their tests with us, and gain their ECDL certificate.

HOW DO I STUDY ECDL?
The ECDL approved courseware that we use is an interactive CD-ROM which encourages self-paced study. This means that learners are able to progress through the course at a speed that is comfortable for them. The CD-ROM will work on any PC using Windows 2000 operating system or above, with no other software required to study the course.

Learners can choose to study from home or make use of our Learning Centre during certain times of the week.

Our Learning Centre is open for ECDL students from 9am to 5pm (Mon - Thurs) & 9am to 12am (Fri).

Tests can be taken Weds, between 2pm and 4pm.

When ready to sit their first ECDL test, candidates will be registered with an official logbook which is used to keep a record of all successful tests. Upon completion of all seven modules, this logbook is sent away for approval by the British Computer Society, in return for the candidate’s ECDL certificate.

FUNDING YOUR ECDL THROUGH ILA SCOTLAND
ILA Scotland is a Scottish Executive scheme that can help you pay for the cost of your learning.

If you are over 18 and living in Scotland, you may be eligible for up to £200 a year of ILA Scotland funding. If you earn £18,000 or less a year, or you are on benefits, you can apply for a £200 individual learning account to put towards a wide range of approved courses. If you earn more than £18,000, you can apply for a £100 account to put towards a range of approved computer courses.

The money is not a loan, so you don’t have to pay it back. You just need to contribute at least £10 for each course that you take using your ILA Scotland account.

Although standard full-time courses in universities and colleges are not eligible for ILA Scotland funding, you’ll find that there are a wide range of part-time courses to choose from.