Technology continues to advance 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 Entry 2 ICT.
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.
See drop down menus below for more information.
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.
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
The course will cover the very basics of using a computer and the internet.
Topics include but are not limited to:
You could progress onto one of our accredited ICT courses, such as Functional Skills or Essential Digital Skills, that will be made available to you.
| Venue | Dates / Weeks | Time |
| Darlington Library | 27th April - 13th July, 10 weeks | 9:30 - 11:30 |
You will not need to bring anything along to these sessions, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills.
This course is free of charge.
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
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.
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.
You will cover some of the below, depending on which level you start at:
| Venue | Dates / Weeks | Time |
| Coleridge Centre | 21st April - 30th June, 9 weeks | 12:30 - 14:30 |
All ICT equipment is supplied to you. Please bring:
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above.
After this course has finished you may like to progress 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.
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
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.
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.
You could progress 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.
This course is free.
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.
If you have any queries about our digital skills courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Install our web app
