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GET ONLINE WEEK 2014 REPORT
HELEN JOHNSTON FIT LTD
7a Bellevue Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, Ireland
APRIL 15, 2014
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Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2
2.0 Overview of the activities & Events ............................................................................................ 2
3.0 Information Stations & Activities ................................................................................................ 3
3.1 Monday - Rathmines Library and Cabra Library information stations ................................... 3
3.2 Tuesday – Central Library, Ilac Centre .................................................................................... 4
3.3 Wednesday –........................................................................................................................... 4
3.3.1 Blanchardstown Shopping Centre................................................................................... 4
3.3.2 UPC the Irish branch of Liberty Global launched You:Rock ............................................ 5
3.4 Thursday - ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.4.1 Ballymun Jobs and Training Fair for Unemployed Youth ................................................ 5
3.4.2. Dundrum AIB Lab eInclusion Training ............................................................................. 6
4.0 Media coverage........................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Website Coverage ................................................................................................................... 7
4.1.1. FIT Website ..................................................................................................................... 7
We created a GOW 2014 Web page on our FIT website, explaining GOW and showing a list of
events for the week. ........................................................................................................................... 7
4.1.2. My Past My Present ........................................................................................................ 7
eCert Community of Teachers and Trainers ................................................................................... 9
4.2. National Media........................................................................................................................ 9
4.3. Social Media .......................................................................................................................... 10
5.0 Case Studies .............................................................................................................................. 11
5.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 11
5.2. Emma Temple ....................................................................................................................... 11
5.2.1. Background ................................................................................................................... 11
5.2.2. FIT involvement ............................................................................................................. 11
5.2.3. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 11
5.3. Patrick Kenna ........................................................................................................................ 12
5.3.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 12
5.3.2. FIT involvement ............................................................................................................. 12
5.3.3 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 12
6.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 12
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GET ONLINE WEEK 2014 REPORT FOR IRELAND
1.0 Introduction This year we focused on disseminating information through public libraries. We promoted YouRock
and Skillage along with the IT courses we provide for eInclusion and up-skilling in IT for the long-term
unemployed. We set up information stations in public libraries, a shopping centre and a youth jobs &
training fair. We also had training sessions in the AIB Lab in Dundrum for eInclusion and a planned
demonstration of Skillage with Youthreach Clondalkin (delayed). Our media coverage comprised of
creating a webpage on the fit website along with posting information on partner websites and our
Facebook and Twitter accounts.
2.0 Overview of the activities & Events
Monday: We had an information station in Rathmines Library, Dublin 6 and Cabra Library,
Dublin 7
Tuesday: We had an information station in the Central Library, The Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
Wednesday: We had an information station in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and Retail Park,
Dublin 15
UPC also had launched YouRock in St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Thursday: An eInclusion Group was brought to a training session in the AIB Lab in Dundrum,
Dublin 16
We had an information station at an event for Youth Unemployment in the Ballymun
Jobs Centre, Dublin 9
Friday: A Skillage training event was supposed to take place in Clondalkin Youthreach,
however it was cancelled at short notice. It was rescheduled for the week ending
Friday 18th April.
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3.0 Information Stations & Activities
3.1 Monday - Rathmines Library and Cabra Library information stations
We focused on libraries as we felt we would reach a large section of the population, the elderly, the
unemployed and students. We set up an information station at Rathmines Library and Cabra Library
on Monday. We spoke with those visiting the library and gave them information about GOW,
possible courses for eInclusion and courses for the unemployed.
Helen Mahon – Rathmines Library FIT Information station – Cabra Library
Cabra Library also advertised that we would be
there and had posters up all around the library.
They also had a leaflet distribution to the local
community
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3.2 Tuesday – Central Library, Ilac Centre On Tuesday we had our information stand in the Central Library. It was a very busy Library and
about 250 people came through the library doors while we were there. The Central Library
promoted GOW in the library and gave out leaflets about GOW and FIT.
3.3 Wednesday –
3.3.1 Blanchardstown Shopping Centre We had an information station in the main shopping area in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre with a
footfall of 1000’s during the day. We had posters and gave out information about GOW and FIT’s
eInclusion course along with our IT courses for the long-term unemployed. We used Posters and our
Get online week presentation to promote YouRock, Skillage and GOW.
Helen Johnston at the
information stand in the Central
Library
Talking about Skillage
in the Dublin Central
Library
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3.3.2 UPC the Irish branch of Liberty Global launched YouRock
3.4 Thursday -
3.4.1 Ballymun Jobs and Training Fair for Unemployed Youth We had an information station at the youth unemployment fair, where we showed our GOW
presentation and had posters and information about our FIT courses aimed at the long-term
unemployed.
Fidelma Furey at
the Ballymun Jobs
and Training Fair
for Unemployed
Youth.
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3.4.2. Dundrum AIB Lab eInclusion Training On Thursday we had two training sessions in the AIB Lab in Dundrum. The AIB (Allied Irish Bank) Lab
is a facility with lots of up to date banking technology and a training room, which enables people to
learn all the different ways there are to bank with technology from online banking to self-service
lodgement machines. Please click here for a demonstration.
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4.0 Media coverage
4.1 Website Coverage
4.1.1. FIT Website
We created a GOW 2014 Web page on our FIT website, explaining GOW and showing a list of events
for the week.
http://www.fit.ie/index.php?page=get-online-week-2014
4.1.2. My Past My Present We put information about GOW up on the My Past My Present Website which is assessable to all
members (currently 746 members). A snapshot of the GOW information is shown on the homepage
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eCert Community of Teachers and Trainers We also put information about GOW up on the eCert Community of Teachers and Trainers website.
This website can be accessed by all members (current membership is 182).
4.2. National Media UPC Organised photos to be sent to a variety of publications regarding GOW 2014. An article was
published in Business and Leadership Ltd. Business and Leadership Ltd is Ireland's leading resource
for breaking business and management news.
http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/45288-upc-ireland-supporting-laun
The UPC YouRock launch was mentioned in a number of online publications:
http://www.onenewspage.co.uk/n/Business/750cnjv1b/UPC-Ireland-supporting-launch-of-YouRock-
employability-platform.htm
http://www.uswitch.ie/broadband/news/2014/03/31/upc-support-yourock-platform-to-boost-irish-
youth-employment/
The NCU wrote about GOW in their
http://blog.ncutraining.ie/get-online-week/
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4.3. Social Media We mentioned GOW on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fastrack.toit
We also mentioned GOW and our events on the Youth2Work Twitter: @FITYouth2Work
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5.0 Case Studies
5.1. Introduction Since the down turn in the Irish economy in 2007-2008 it has been difficult for young people with no
experience to gain employment. The Youth Unemployment rate stands at 26% according to
‘tradingeconomics.com’ (http://www.tradingeconomics.com/ireland/youth-unemployment-rate)
this means that over 1 in 4 young people are unemployed. For the eSkills Case Study Competition,
we have chosen to put forward two previous FIT students who we feel have made the most of the
opportunities that they have been given.
5.2. Emma Temple
Emma Temple is 22 and is a recent graduate of the FIT Momentum Web Development and Database
Management course.
5.2.1. Background Emma left school in 2007 at the age of 17 without finishing her Leaving Certificate. She completed
her ECDL but found it very difficult to get work. She was out of work for 2 years when she decided to
do a course in Accounts and Payroll under an unemployment initiative. Emma got work experience
in accounts and reception in a B&B for 2 weeks, but after the work experience she remained
unemployed for 2 more years.
5.2.2. FIT involvement Emma realised from her previous courses that she liked computers and working with data. She got
the opportunity in 2013 to take part in the FIT Momentum Web Development and Database
Management course. These courses are technical courses. They run for 29 weeks with 16 weeks
classroom training followed by 13 weeks internship. Emma took on the course with enthusiasm and
drive. She not only focused hard on the course but became one of our Youth2Work ambassadors.
She took time out of her personal schedule to help promote FIT and the Youth2Work. You can read
her blog here.
Emma completed the taught aspect of the course and went on to be placed for internship with
Multinet Systems. Shortly after completing her internship FIT recommended her for a role with IDG
Direct and she was called for interview. Emma succeeded in getting a role as a Databuild Analyst
and has been working there since January 2014.
5.2.3. Conclusion Emma is a positive, bubbly and enthusiastic individual. She left school when the economy was just
starting to decline and although she tried to gain employment she found it very difficult. She did not
give up hope and up-skilled doing a couple of different courses in the area of IT. We have also
received excellent feedback from IDG Direct regarding her performance. Emma is a perfect
candidate for this competition and I feel on a personal level her attitude, work ethic and willingness
to go the extra mile deserves recognition.
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5.3. Patrick Kenna
Patrick Kenna is 21 years old and is a recent graduate of the FIT Momentum SharePoint
Management course.
5.3.1 Background Patrick left school without finishing second level education. He has a passion for computers and IT
and although has never worked he has completed a course in PC Maintenance and Repair through
FÁS. Beyond that he has self-trained in many different IT programmes such as CSS, HTML and Cisco
Packet Tracer. His goal is to make a career for himself in the IT sector.
5.3.2. FIT involvement In 2013 Patrick had the opportunity to take part in the FIT Momentum SharePoint Management
course. These courses are technical courses and they run for 29 weeks with 16 weeks classroom
training, followed by 13 week internship. Patrick took on the course with enthusiasm. Patrick’s
partner had a baby while he was taking part in the course and he found it very difficult to give
sufficient attention to the course, however he did ensure that he completed the classroom training.
After the taught aspect of the course Patrick had the opportunity to complete his 13 week internship
with Microsoft. He got on very well in Microsoft and they were so pleased with him that they felt he
would benefit from an extended work experience. They offered Patrick the chance to extend his
work experience by a further 6 months, which long-term will give him 9 months’ work experience in
the IT sector.
5.3.3 Conclusion Feedback received from Patrick has been very moving from a FIT perspective. He described the FIT
Momentum programme as ‘life changing’ and now feels much more hopeful about the future.
Patrick in an excellent candidate for this competition. He has struggled but has not given up. I feel it
would be a great boost for him to get recognition for his efforts.
6.0 Conclusion
We had an Excellent week talking to the community about getting online and encouraging them to
use our free resources. We also spoke to people about our Youth2Work project aimed at educating
young people in IT and talking generally about the courses that FIT run for the unemployed. Overall
we had an excellent response from the public and from our AIB Lab training. We are looking forward
to next year and GOW 2015.
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