PALLETFORCE

STAFF at Bedfords Transport, a founder member of Palletforce, are taking part in a BBC campaign to encourage more people to become internet savvy.

It was IT manager Ben Rowe’s idea to join in with the project and offer free internet introductory sessions to staff at Bedfords.

 “I saw a TV clip that showed a 90-year-old man showing his 85-year-old wife how to use the internet and thought if they can do it why can’t we,” said Ben.

“For many people who have limited access to computers using the internet can be a daunting prospect.

“This project is all about introducing those people to the internet so they too can benefit from all it has to offer as well as learn new computer literacy skills.”

As part of the BBC’s ‘Take the first click’ campaign, IT staff at Bedford’s, based in Birstall, West Yorkshire, are offering free evening workshops to their colleagues and partners throughout December.

Members of the IT team are available to answer any questions relating to getting online, browsing the internet, security worries, email, social networking or any and all generic computer and tablet questions.

In the past year Palletforce made its biggest ever investment - £1million – in IT by developing and deploying a system that links together all of its members depots with the central Hub.

“I thought it would be a good thing for our staff and the company as staff will be learning new skills and building self confidence,” added Ben.

“It will hopefully also help with any general technophobia as on-board computers are becoming more and more common, so the less anxious people are about technology in general the better.”

Ben is hoping to extend the training even further from just online skills to basic computer literacy.