A Bedwas-based IT firm has signed an agreement to provide computer training to members of a bakers’ union.
Excellence IT, based on Bedwas House Industrial Estate, will provide training in Microsoft Office to 500 members of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union thanks to funding from the Welsh Government’s Wales Union Learning Fund.
The union has managed to secure £200,000 from the Welsh Government to be spent over the next three years to boost the skills of its members, who are employed by the likes of Memory Lane Cakes and Burton Biscuits. IT skills will form part of that training.
John James, Organising Regional Secretary with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, explained: “Excellence IT is going to roll out computer courses and classes, primarily around Microsoft Office, to give people more confidence in having a go at different things.
“One of the things our members are trying to do is publish their own magazine. They will be learning new skills.”
Andy Green, co-founder and co-director of Excellence IT, agreed, citing that knowing how to use a computer is essential for modern life.
He said: “These are life skills and technology moves on so quickly. If people did learn these in schools, the software has moved on.”
Providing training to a trade union will be a new experience for Excellence IT, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last year.
Co-founder and co-director Andy Beer said: “This is a very different venture for us. Usually we work with the private sector but this is an exciting venture with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union which will empower people.”