The provision of new Apple Mac computers by the Culture Company to two community groups in the Derry will allow the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s (DCAL) cultural hub policy to be further developed in the Waterside area of the city, according to a local councillor.
Sinn Fein Cllr Mickey Cooper.
Sinn Fein Cllr and City of Culture director Mickey Cooper said the provision of the equipement to Hillcrest House in Gobnascale and Lincoln Courts Community Centre was essential if Derry’s “creative industry training” was top be rolled out across all parts of the city as part of the cultural hubs policy.
He added: “I am delighted that Lincoln Courts Community Centre and Hillcrest House have received their new equipment which has resulted from discussions between myself, Culture Company and the two groups.
“In line with the new equipment, I have held further discussions with Derry2020 who will now begin promoting their new software design and graphic design courses in the next few weeks.”
Cllr Cooper said the new courses would allow local residents in long term unemployment to use the new equipment in the Waterside, Creggan and Bogside to gain new qualifications
The added the “next step” would be to secure similar equipment for other community facilities and also adequate numbers of trainers.
He added: “I am currently discussing both issues with DCAL, the North West Regional College, University of Ulster and the Nerve Centre with the view of developing further community based digital courses which are aligned to the NWRC foundation degrees.”
Cllr Cooper concluded: “This will allow step up to higher education for local residents with all the increased job prospects which this would entail.”
