Certificate in IT User Skills - Media Savvy

Level 2

10 sessions, generally 1 session per week 9:30-16:00

This course is for anyone aged 19 or over.

We have designed this course to suit a wide variety of learners including the following:

• Those with an interest in employment in digital arts and media (Inc. photography, graphic design and video editing)
• Those looking to improve basic IT skills, such as using laptops, word processing and digital file management - again increasing employability
• Those looking to improve 'softer skills' such as peer working, planning, engagement, self confidence and communication
• Those who are looking into self-employment and wish to create a logo, branding, marketing materials etc.
• Those who are unsure of a career path and looking to try something different, and also gain a useful qualification and transferrable skills

This course is a progression from the Level 1 Certificate in IT User Skills

Learners will expand on IT skills and ability.

They will continue to edit documents and also do some digital form filling for their workbooks. They will develop software skills in (Photoshop) and more mainstream word processing (Microsoft Word) as well as PDF form filling, surfing the internet, e-safety, copyright law, downloading content from the internet, and use IT to improve productivity. This course also introduces video editing using the software (Premiere) this can be useful in many areas including social media, website, blog posting for personal or employment use. In the past learners who have progressed onto the Level 2 have produced logos, marketing material, (flyers and social media content), the possibilities are endless. This course has 4 units and is accredited by NOCN as a Level 2 Certificate.

The aim of the course is to enable learners to further improve their IT skills.

This course has been designed to develop learners understanding and skills in a range of digital arts and media practices at the same time as further enhancing core ICT and employability skills.

The course structure is flexible and we support a personalised learning approach. We treat each group uniquely and every learner as an individual. Our method is sometimes labelled as 'learning by stealth' due to our success in engaging and retaining learners who have previously not successfully completed similar training programmes.

There are 4 units to complete as part of this 16 credit qualification, which cover a range of professional software.

Units taught:

• Improving Productivity Using IT (Level 2)
• Word Processing Software (Level 2)
• Imaging Software (Level 2)
• Video Software (Level 3)

There are a variety of outcomes of the course linked directly and indirectly to job seekers gaining employment:

• Gaining a nationally recognised Level 1 Certificate in IT User Skills
• Improved ICT skills
• Digital skills (image / video manipulation)
• Improved word processing skills Inc. CV writing, project planning and general programme knowledge
• Self-marketing skills via digital imaging to enhance basic CVs - can also include brand creation for self-employment marketing
• Digital marketing skills 
• Design skills for marketing purposes, for example, posters / advertising / flyers / social media
• 'Soft skills' development Inc. peer working, planning engagement, self confidence and communication
• Employability skills - working in a team, self directed work, meeting deadlines, following instructions

Learners can progress onto higher level related courses, such as those available at college, university.

You could gain employment in digital arts and media (Inc. photography, graphic design, digital marketing, social media)

You may increase confidence enough to explore unrelated volunteering and employment opportunities.