Trainees doing a free computer course run by No Stop non-profit organisation expressed joy as the course started on Tuesday..

The course will run for three days at first, but there are plans to extend it to an eight-week programme before September, according to Charlene Miles, director of No Stop, which is supported by fellow NPO YoungPeople@Work in offering the course.

Participants will learn about basic computer skills on the first two days and work on creating and updating CVs on the third.

The training is free apart from R30 the participants will be asked to pay for a certificate upon completion.

Northern News previously reported that the course is aimed primarily at unemployed youth, but anyone can attend.

The training started on Tuesday April 4, at No Stop’s office at the Bethel Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, at 106 Milton Street, and it will run continuously on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with slots from 9am to noon and noon to 3pm.

One of the participants, Queen Malgas, 63, said the class was enjoyable and the lessons would also help her when using her phone.

“It was really a big deal because I did not know anything about the computer. They taught us in a very easy way, that we can understand immediately. Everything is computerised, even our phones. I can only do the basic things and (the course) will help me with my phone as well.”

Another participant, Logan Louw, 26, said: “As an unemployed mother, this is a chance for me to better myself. Computer knowledge is a big advantage in job seeking.”

Ms Miles said: “The organisation has long recognised the need to provide computer training to the community, but the lack of resources and funding made it difficult to implement.”

No Stop also offers music lessons and other after-school programmes, along with mentoring and counselling, from its office, which is open on weekdays until 4pm.

For more information, contact Ms Miles at charlenemiles@nostopnpo.co.za or 064 994 8925.

Some of the 10 computers installed in the office for the computer course. Picture: supplied.

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Computer course offers new opportunities, say trainees