The British Government has announced its intention to commence a training course which will help people pick up basic computing skills needed in their day-to-day lives. There are 11.3 million computer illiterates in Britain and these data have prompted Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, to draw up a scheme named the Online Basics Scheme, which will be free and online. In today’s society which is increasingly moving towards the digital mode each individual needs to become computer literate and be comfortable in using the internet. Further, the internet will also bring in a lot of benefits such as entertainment and education, and, at times, it means better paid jobs for senior people in the work force.

Since the Government wants that the maximum number of people avail the benefits of this scheme, it has made the enrolment process very easy and user-friendly. People having a personal computer at home and an internet connection can enrol in this scheme. Others who do not have this facility in their home can use the walk-in online centres at various locations across the country in London, Barnsley, Oldham, Gloucester and Devon.

This basic course has five modules which will impart skills like typing and mouse control. Along with it the course will also teach one to search the internet and do other web-related tasks. The aim of the government is to bring at least one million people under this scheme in the next three years.

The fact that the UK government has announced this Online Basic Scheme just after the other plan of providing free laptops and a year’s free internet connection to270, 000 families as part of the Home Access Scheme shows that the government is keen on making the maximum number of people in the country computer literate.

If you require more information on either broadband or mobile broadband, a good place to check out is the independent consumer website Broadband Genie. They offer information and free advice. It’s a good site to get started on the internet with, for instance a pay as you go dongle, and other broadband offers from the various ISPs.