Computer clubhouses to develop digital literacy and high-tech jobs

Computer Clubhouse New Zealand (CCNZ) continues to ramp up their mission to provide young people in Auckland and across NZ with access to high-technology through new funding and cooperation alliances.

Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, recently announced the additional funding of $3.3 million over three years for CCNZ and Computers in Homes. 

These community-based education and training programs help increase access to high technology, digital literacy and connectivity.

Turia says: “Being digitally literate is no longer merely optional – it is an essential life skill, and 20 to 30 per cent of New Zealanders lack access to digital tools or the ability to use them.

“Support for these training programs contribute to my medium-term priority of structuring for effectiveness by ensuring that funding is targeted to meet both today’s and tomorrow’s needs, and help strengthen whanau, hapu, iwi and communities across the country.”

There are currently five Clubhouses in Wellington, Hamilton, Whakatane, Wanganui and Otara. The plan is to open 12 Clubhouses in NZ by the end of 2012.

Mike Usmar, CEO of CCNZ acknowledges the significance and impact of the funding from the Government. 

 “The Government funding over three years will help ensure the success of our plans to reproduce the highly successful Clubhouse learning model and provide access to high-tech infrastructure and training for young people in underserved communities across the country that prepares them for jobs and careers in the sector.”

Brett O’Riley, Chairman of the Network of Aotearoa Clubhouses, and CEO of NZICT Group says:  “We are poised for a significant expansion of clubhouses in Aotearoa, with plans at an advanced stage with several communities including Moerewa, One Tree Hill, Tamaki, and Mangere in Auckland, as well as Gisborne, Porirua, Christchurch and Dunedin. 

“We look forward to working with the Government to see how the new funding can enable the opening of as many of these new Clubhouses as possible, in partnership with other stakeholders.

Clubhouse’s approach is to foster collaboration between central government, local government, the hi-tech industry, other NGO’s, and the community.  Together we can work to improve access to and the uptake of digital technologies that lead to jobs and valuable exports for New Zealand.”