UPLIFT training - Applications

Applications are open for the UPLIFT training courses. These free courses will help people involved in community projects to help people in economically disadvantaged or under served communities to develop skills in information and communication technology (ICT).

The UPLIFT course
(Published 10/04/2006; dates updated 14/8/2006, 3/11/2006)

Logo of Microsoft Unlimited Potential scheme - a stylized UP. The global Microsoft Unlimited Potential awards scheme has funded a training course for community projects supporting people in economically disadvantaged or under served communities to develop skills in information and communication technology (ICT).

The course covers four distinct areas:

  • Understanding adult learning
  • Customising the Unlimited Potential Curriculum
  • Creating more sustainable community ICT projects
  • ICT and enterprise development

The Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation course is residential and each one takes place over four days.

Three more courses will be offered before July 2007:

  • 27 - 30 November - apply by 10 November
  • 20 – 23 February 2007: Wellington - apply by 20 December

The courses are provided at no cost to eligible participants. This means that travel to the training centre, over night accommodation, breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon teas will be paid for.

A full set of Unlimited Potential Curriculum teaching materials and tools will be provided to each course participant. Course graduates will be able to access further resources through the Graduate Network.

The entry conditions - who should attend

To be eligible to attend the training course at no cost you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the following criteria and complete the downloadable application form. (On request, we will send you a paper copy - contact us as below.)

You will:

  1. Be working in a paid or unpaid (volunteer) capacity in a whanau, hapu or community project which provides people with the opportunity to learn how to use information and communication technology (ICT).
  2. Be able to use a computer, either a PC or a MAC.
  3. Be familiar with at least two of Microsoft’s software packages, e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Access, Front Page.
  4. Be able to commit to supporting another trainer and providing training to local people for at least one year after the completion of the course (the course will provide you with the tools to do this).
  5. Be able to identify a challenge (or problem or issue) and a success in your work with the Community Technology Learning project which you can discuss at the training course.
  6. Agree to contribute to the graduate network, including contributing your challenge and success as case studies.
  7. Agree to contribute to the graduate network, including contributing your challenge and success as case studies.

Your community technology project

The project you work for will:

  • Be part of a not for profit organisation.
  • Have a clear focus on providing opportunities for local people to learn to use information and communication technology. (The project may have other objectives as well.)
  • Provide those learning opportunities free of charge or for a nominal amount.
  • A Management Committee or Board of Trustees who will act as your sponsor and will:
    • endorse your application to attend the course
    • support you while attending the course e.g. providing someone to cover your work for the four days that you are away from the project
    • support you to complete the course requirements e.g. training another person in your project to be able to deliver a learning session to local people and your continued training of local people
    • agree to give you 20 hours professional development time to enable you to participate in the on-line graduate network.

Your community

The community in which you work will be economically disadvantaged e.g.

  • have a high level of unemployment and/or poorly paid employment  OR
  • have a low level of basic health, social and educational services.

The Application Process

Registration

If you would like to register for the Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation Course please:

Over-subscription

If the courses are oversubscribed, a selection panel made up of the Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation Partners will be set up to prioritise applications which:

  • Provide free ICT learning opportunities to the country’s most economically disadvantaged and/or underserved communities.
  • Assist in enabling the Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation to reach people who have specific needs, e.g. applicants from projects serving disabled people, Maori, Pacific Island Nation communities, older people, people whose first language is not English etc.
  • Assist in giving the Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation national impact e.g. applicants from geographic areas when there has been no expressed interest in the course.

Confirmation of attendance

We will write to you within two working weeks after the deadline for applications for your preferred course. This letter will advise you on the outcome of your application.

If the course is oversubscribed, the letter will advise you of the dates when the selection panel will meet.

Once applications have been agreed, we will contact you to confirm the dates and venue of your course, and discuss your travel and accommodation requirements.

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