75684-20A SWINDON company has set itself a big challenge to make sure every adult in Britain knows how to use the internet.

The British Computer Society wants to banish technophobia with the launch of the new E-Citizen qualification designed for people of all ages and covering all aspects of using the internet.

But before the E-Citizen qualification goes nationwide it is being tried out on the people of Swindon.

Trials of the new qualification have been carried out at Swindon College's seven learning centres right across the town since Decem-ber 1.

And one Swindon family will be among the first to take part.

Sally Rawlings, 52, of Blunsdon, her niece Laura Peart, 17, of Stratton St Margaret, and her father-in-law Tony Akhurst, 75, also from Stratton St Margaret, all plan to take the E-Citizen course.

They admit they don't know their mouse from their microchip so have decided to take the bull by the horns and get some advice from the experts.

Sally, who works for Swindon MIND as a mental health support worker, said: "I really do need to get online.

"I do go on a lot of holidays and I keep hearing about all these amazing deals you can get if you book on the internet.

"I also need to do research for my job in mental health and I need to keep up to date with all the latest developments.

"It's harder to get to find the time to learn when you are not at school.

"But this course allows you to learn in your own time and at your own pace which is ideal for me."

She says her father-in-law, Tony, wants to learn so that he can book holidays but also auction off some of his belongings on the auction site Ebay.

Her niece Laura is a student at Swindon College and knows that she needs to be more computer literate to achieve her career goals.

The E-Citizen qualification consists of a 30-hour course with a final online test leading to certification.

It consists of five modules: basic IT skills and how to use a computer; using email and understanding the concept of email including personal safety online; how to navigate the web and understand the content that is available; access to online service, including filling in online forms; and knowledge of online content such as discussion groups and web creation.

E-Citizen will be taught at the Swindon College learning centres in Regent Circus, Nythe, Wootton Bassett, North Swindon, Parks, the Link Centre and Marlborough.

It costs £25 to take the course but we are offering our readers a voucher, which will entitle our readers to take the qualification for free.

To find out about enrolling on the course contact Swindon College on 0800 731 2250.

Diana Milne