Artlink Central is a registered charity founded in the belief that involvement in the arts is life enhancing and should be available to all.
The organisation, established in 1988, enables people in marginalised groups -including those with physical, psychological or learning issues, prisoners and the elderly -- to work with experienced professional artists on high quality arts projects in the Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire areas of Central Scotland.
Aims include promoting social inclusion, raising self-esteem, improving skills and concentration and raising awareness of disability issues.
When Artlink Central moved into the Cowane Centre in Stirling last year, it upgraded its computer system thanks to funding from the Scottish Arts Council, NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council and Stirling Council.
Keen to make the best use of the new technology, Artlink contacted learndirect scotland for business to get help identifying what training would be required to operate the new system. learndirect scotland for business training partner Gill Blair was also able to put Artlink in touch with UK Online for Business, who advised the charity on the software required to help achieve its aims.
Artlink was then able to install a state of the art system and purchases six new PCs, two printers and two scanners.
Four employees are now undertaking the European Computing Driving Licence (ECDL) as a result of discussions with learndirect scotland for business. Each person is completing the programme at different locations and at different times, allowing them to fit it into their own timetables.
Director Sarah Chester completed her ECDL by attending Clackmannan College for three-hour evening sessions. Administrator Mary Lawson and development officer Lynn Wilson attend sessions at the ED Zone, a Falkirk College centre in the Raploch area of Stirling. Falkirk project co-ordinator Julie Law is now doing an afternoon course in Plean.
The company uses technology as much as possible to speed up communication and improve services. The ECDL training has allowed the charity to update its website, which is now interactive. The employees are now more confident with the technology and are able to upload information to the site daily.
Sarah Chester said: “The impact the training has had on the business has been phenomenal. Thanks to the training identified by learndirect scotland for business, we now have better communication, use less paper and can make more effective use of time. Having this qualification will bring all of us in the organisation up to an equal playing field.”
Sarah continues: “As we are involved with visual arts through our creative workshops it is extremely important to have knowledge of digital media and scanning technology, which we use on a day to day basis. The help we have received from learndirect scotland for business has been invaluable and we hope the training will continue to make a considerable impact on our company in the future.”
Gill Blair, training partner for learndirect scotland for business said: “We are very pleased that we could help Artlink Central identify appropriate training, and with the impact it has had on the company. We hope that their success will encourage other companies in a similar position to contact us if they need help to identify training needs.”