Microsoft Training For The Trainers Of The Computer Centers

Through December 6-14, 2011, the ART in partnership with Microsoft Armenia initiated a training of the trainers support to the Sustainability of the Computer Centers. The training was implemented in the frames of “Computer Literacy for Everyone and Sustainability of Computer Centers” project. Eleven trainers participated in the training from different regions of Armenia: Gegharkunik, Armavir, Artsakh, Kotayk. The training was held in the Innovation Center of the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) and conducted by the professor and director of Microsoft IT Academy in SEUA and AG Academy Arthur Zaprosyan. The aim of this activity was to improve operational knowledge in the sphere of modern technologies and building capacities of the trainers thus addressing one of the objectives of the project, i.e.enhancing the quality of computer classes in the centers.
The activities outlined in the task worksheet supported further HR development in the IT sector by providing training in MS Windows 7, MS Office 2010 programmes – Word, Excel, Power Point, use of an integrated programming environment “Visual Basic for Application” in MS Office 2010 package programmes. From the very beginning the trainer developed a healthy and good atmosphere and managed to overcome the main obstacle– knowledge dis-balance among the group. Almost half of the participants were new employees in the centers, as many of the skilled trainers had found new and well-paid jobs upon building their capacities and beginners were hired in the centers that currently needed improvement of knowledge and other capacities to work as trainers.
During the 8 days of the training ART Programme Officer worked with trainees for 14 hours in total, aiming to improve their management skills, to work effectively with the communities, assess their needs, involve them in computer center based other activities, provide services, and obtain tools and mechanisms for working in a community CC – coordination, marketing, etc. Based on the evaluation results by the professor, 9 trainees were awarded with Certificates of completion of the IT course and 2 of them — with Certificates of participation on 14th December.
The Director of Microsoft Armenia Grigor Barseghyan expressed his gratitude to all the participants and ART as well for their truthful and faithful work in remote rural areas in the country and for their high motivation and input in development of the Armenian Society. Both Microsoft and ART outlined new opportunities for the future, as improvement of the trainers’ knowledge is an important and continuous process.