Community Action of Southold Town is taking proactive steps to provide those in need with critical computer skills that can be used to help find jobs.
According to CAST President Denis Noncarrow, nine students graduated from the first six-week basic computer skill class last month; the second basic skill class is currently in progress, to be followed by an advanced class.
There is no charge for the classes, which are offered to those in need, Noncarrow said.
The community has come together to make the classes possible: An anonymous donor supplied the training lab at a cost of approximately $20,000, he said; the training is done by Vincent and Therese Pette of Peconic Electronics. And the Village of Greenport allows CAST use the old kindergarten school next to Aldo’s.
“The school is set up to better help people in the workplace,” Noncarrow said.
In addition, he added, “The lab is mobile and the plan is to move it through the town as we see the need.”
The classes will also be provided at John’s Place, a local homeless program, next winter.
Although the second class is filled, names are being taken for a possible third basic class, Noncarrow said.
“The classes gives folks marketable skills when seeking employment,” Noncarrow said. “There are few jobs out there these days that don’t require some kind of computer skill. It’s CAST’s mission to help people better their situation and this is a great start to making that move.”
Sponsors are sought for the program. Those interested in the program or with questions are asked to call the CAST office at 631-477-1717.
