The Course: Preparing to set up a training course for refugees

The basic requirements for the course are similar to those for any other training course, namely: dedicated and capable tutors, carefully selected trainees who will participate in and benefit from the training, plus adequate resources including a well equipped training centre and sufficient time for the trainees to learn.

However, when setting up training for refugees, it is also important to make sure that any special needs arising from an individual's situation (eg. language support, cultural differences, welfare needs etc) can be met adequately and sensitively.

Selecting tutors and leaders

• Essential: all tutors and leaders should be sensitive to cultural differences and have experience of working with individuals who lack confidence or are under pressure (eg. refugees, people who are socially disadvantaged, unemployed people, women returners etc).
• Tutors should be experienced in producing information-led websites, especially those which make the most of limited resources. 
• Tutors should be experienced in using and teaching the chosen web authoring software (and file transfer software if applicable) - see the next section.  If any of the tutors are familiar with writing in html (the technical language for writing web pages) or in graphic design this is useful, although not essential.
• They should be skilled at passing on technical know-how in basic everyday language and should enjoy teaching those who are not highly technical.
• At least one tutor should have advanced technical knowledge, both to inspire the 'high-flyers' and to troubleshoot when anything goes wrong technically.  It can often work well if this person has a link with the equipment and facilities to be used. 
• It is often helpful to have a separate course leader or project co-ordinator who deals with everything except the actual training (recruitment, budget, finance, administration, fund-raising etc).  This person should have experience of project management.

Guidelines for selection of trainees

Information-led websites require a high level of communication skills - similar to those needed for writing press releases, newsletters or newspaper articles.  The trainees will get the most from the course if they have experience in some of the following:

• as a journalist, reporter or broadcaster
• writing for information - eg. information sheets or instruction manuals, summarising reports etc.
• editing, organising or producing a newsletter or magazine
• maintaining a network or complex database and communicating with the people on it (eg. via mailouts or fund-raising appeals etc)
• media liaison for their organisation - writing and sending press releases, speaking on the media etc.

Trainees should have some computer skills, especially word processing and basic use of graphics and layout.

They should have a good understanding of spoken and written English. It is advisable to teach the course in English, especially if there is a mixture of languages in the group. (The trainees can go on to produce work in their own language once they become more proficient.)

They should show a willingness and ability to write objectively and accurately, for a diverse audience, ie. not just for their own community.

They should demonstrate a commitment to the course and be able to attend during the specified hours.

Budget, timetable, resources and support

• Budget for between 12-15 sessions of 3 hours each, ie. between 36-45 hours in total.  Make a timetable of all the sessions and give it to all participants at the beginning of the course. 
• Short intensive courses (eg. 5 evenings a week for 3 weeks) work well with very dedicated trainees, although it is less tiring for all if the sessions are spread out over several weeks (eg. 2 evenings a week for 7 weeks).
• Where possible, arrange for a stable working base (training room) which can be used for every session.  Ideally, arrange for each trainee to use the same workstation at every session.
• Allow enough in the budget for floppy disks (1-2 per trainee), new software (if applicable), printing costs for handouts and other materials.
• Decide in advance whether eligible trainees can claim for travel and childcare.  If so, make it clear to who is eligible, how claims should be made and any cash limit.
• Be prepared to offer individual support outside the training hours (for example, negociating with an employer if a trainee needs time off to complete the course)
• Include a budget for follow-up and dissemination (see here for details)

Click here to go to the first element of the course: Using web authoring and file transfer software
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