MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said today that a re-elected NSW Government would double the funding to the popular Tech Savvy Seniors program, which provides low cost or free training for seniors in using computers, tablets and smart phones.
“This Government wants to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital world. Boosting the online skills of seniors delivers enormous health, social and community benefits,” Mr Marshall said.
Last year Mr Marshall visited Inverell Library to talk with local seniors who took part in the program at the library.
“The feedback was incredibly positive,” he said. “The people I spoke with said they not only enjoyed the experience but the skills they learned allowed them to keep in touch with family and loved ones right across the world and generally made their lives a lot easier.”
Under the government’s $2 million plan, the hugely successful Tech Savvy Seniors program will be expanded by:
- 3,500 more places per year across 30 regional and metropolitan community colleges and libraries;
- The addition of a Tech Savvy Seniors Regional Road Show which will reach 40 regional locations; and
- The introduction of online banking courses for seniors
“On top of this election commitment, the NSW Government has launched with telecommunications partner Telstra, an extension to the existing Tech Savvy Seniors program to now include training in seven different languages,” Mr Marshall said.
“The existing Tech Savvy Seniors program has been running since January 2013 and has provided benefits to more than 11,000 seniors.
“We estimate that over the next four years, more than 38,000 class places will be taken up by seniors.”
To find out more about the Tech Savvy Seniors Program, please visit the website at: www.telstra.com.au/telstra-seniors