Courses starting from August 2026
- Computers for beginners - Darlington Library
- Computing basics - Skills Centre
- Essential computer skills - Skills Centre
To get more information of book a place please see drop down menus below.
Digital skills
Technology continues to move on and having good digital skills is essential for every day life as well as the workplace.
We offer a variety of basic digital skills courses, for people aged 19 and over, which range from basic computer skills for beginners, through to essential computer skills and computing basics.
All of our digital skills courses are free of charge, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Visit our support for learners page for criteria details.
Our class sizes are small and we offer personalised support to help learners achieve their goals.
One-to-one support outside lessons is also available for students whose learning has been disrupted.
Course summary
This course is for those who want a basic understanding of computers and how to use them.
This is an unaccredited course that is perfect for those who feel digitally excluded and you will learn how to switch devices on and off, how to access the Internet, how to create documents, and how to stay safe online.
Once you have completed this course, you may like to move on to one of our accredited Functional Skills courses.
Entry requirements
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
This course will develop knowledge on the basic use of digital devices and the internet, help those who feel digitally excluded or disadvantaged and emphasise how important it is to remain vigilant when accessing the internet
What will the course cover?
The course will cover the very basics of using a computer and the internet.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- switching devices on and off
- adjusting displays to suit your needs
- accessing the internet
- browsing the internet
- staying safe online
- creating documents
- editing, saving and printing documents
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could continue onto one of our accredited ICT courses, such as Functional Skills or Essential Digital Skills, that will be made available to you.
Where and when will I learn?
Please contact us to register your interest - next course to be confirmed
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along to these sessions, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills.
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
- You must sit an assessment to join an ICT course, as this helps determine which course is best for you
- Once completed a Learning & Skills Adviser will be in contact about the your course options
- The assessment is online and can be accessed
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Course summary
This course is for those who does not have an ICT qualification and you would like to build up the basics of ICT and digital skills so that you can carry out the basic operations on a computer/laptop.
Entry requirements
- Are aged 19 years or older;
- Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
Curriculum intent
The curriculum intent of Digital Skills/ICT is for learners to get to grips with a variety of ICT technology and learn how to effectively operate a computer/laptop, including safe internet searching, creating documents, adapt settings, using Microsoft Office and various other soft and hard ware, plus lots more. Computing Basics builds upon the skills learnt in Essential Computer Skills.
Course content
Essential Computer Skills / Computing Basics
You will cover some of the below, depending on which level you start at:
- Switching on and closing down the computer
- Using a mouse and keyboard
- Word processing
- Saving and organising your work
- Using tools to create a poster / party invitations
- Adding formatting to a document
- Moving and modifying text
- Using a printer
- File management
- Using flash drives
- Using a search engine to source information effectively
When and where will I learn
Please contact us to register your interest - next course to be confirmed
Equipment
All ICT equipment is supplied to you. Please bring:
- a notepad
- a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
Cost
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above.
Progression
After this course has finished you may like to continue to the next level in ICT which might be a entry 3, level 1 or level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
What do I do next?
- You must sit an assessment to join an ICT course, as this helps determine which course is best for you
- Once completed a Learning & Skills Adviser will be in contact about the your course options
- The assessment is online and can be accessed
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Course summary
This course is for those who would like to learn how to effectively stay safe online.
You will learn about features of the Internet, web risks, recognising online propaganda and much more.
It is recommended that learners interested in this course have or are working towards an English qualification at GCSE level.
This course will take place online so that you can learn from the comfort of your home.
What entry requirements do I need to start the course?
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
- It is recommended that you currently hold, or are working towards, an English qualification at around GCSE old grade C/new grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 1
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
The course intent is to highlight particular areas of concern for internet users, such as sharing personal information online and the possibility of being groomed online.
What will the course cover?
- Features of the internet
- How adults, children and young people use the internet
- Risks associated with using the internet
- Staying safe when using the internet
- Recognising online propaganda
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could continue onto one of our many other Distance Learning or CPD courses, depending on your pathway of choice. Or you may want to achieve a qualification in Maths, English or ICT. Many free courses will be made available to you at the end of this course.
Where and when will I learn?
- You will learn in your own time to set deadlines
- This course will take place on our online portal. You will receive your login details during enrolment
What should I bring with me?
- Access to the internet
- Access to an internet-enabled device (PC, Laptop or iPad/Tablet - smart phones are not suitable for this course)
How much will the course cost?
This course is free.
What should I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Hear from current and former learners on our Functional Skills courses in the video below.
Need more information?
If you have any queries about our digital skills courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.