HP opened its first Digital Community Centre on the UK mainland on 15 May. The new Community Centre is based in Govan in Scotland, one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas, and it digitally connects 12 local community centres to provide training and promote both job growth and entrepreneurship.
The new Digital Community Centre in Govan has been developed through a project partnership between HP and the Govan Initiative, a local development company tasked with boosting the local economy. The project will provide users with access to a wide range of multi media technology, including laptops, desktop PCs, scanners, digital cameras, data projectors and audio visual equipment.
The official opening of the centre was conducted by Johann Lamont MSP, Deputy Minister for Communities, who said that the centre would allow people in Govan to use technology in different ways, from looking for jobs to running community groups or even setting up a small business.
Also at the opening were Ian McNair, VP Sales Operations HP EMEA and Steve Gill, VP and managing director HP UK & Ireland who emphasised HP’s pride in helping with the creation of the centre. Describing how the digital age makes it increasingly vital for individuals to have access to ICT, he hoped that the centre would open up doors for the residents of Govan to enable them to benefit from new technological opportunities.
Reaping the benefits
The centre aims to target young people, single parents, unemployed and members of black ethnic communities. Some users are already reaping the benefits of the facilities and have secured full-time employment through successful completion of ICT training courses offered by the overall digital community.
HP’s new Digital Community Centre in Govan is the 12th centre to be opened in EMEA and is yet another example of our worldwide initiative to give underserved communities access to the power of technology. HP also has established centres in France, Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Northern Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, Senegal, Ukraine and Russia.
A case study of our Digital Community Centre programme has also been developed and is now available. The study details some of the projects taking place within EMEA and the positive results we have achieved. To find out more, click here
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