UNEMPLOYED people in East Hampshire are being offered the opportunity throughout November of developing IT skills for free.

Community First, a voluntary and community organisation based in Petersfield, is putting on two four-day courses at Alton College, which are free to those receiving unemployment benefits and aimed at those looking for work.

The first course, comprising four sessions and entitled Getting Started with IT, runs from 10am to 12.30pm on Wednesday mornings, November 1, November 8, November 15 and November 29.

These beginners IT sessions will give participants a basic knowledge of computers, software and hardware, the internet and e-mail.

By the end of this course, participants will have learned how to create a CV document and format it, learned how to insert pictures into documents, learned how to file and store CVs and application forms, and learned how to navigate the internet and create and send e-mails.

The second four-session course takes place on the same dates but from 3.30pm-6.30pm and is aimed at those who would like to develop existing IT skills.

By the end of this, learners should be able to use Word to format and edit text, save and re-open files, create folders and print files, search and save websites, send e-mails with attachments and save to folders, create strong passwords, and be safe online.

To book a place on either of these courses, call Community First on 0300 5008085, e-mail [email protected] or book online atcfirst.org.uk/training/booking.

The courses are also open to people who are not receiving unemployment benefit but will cost £45.