SITTING at a computer learning how to get the most out of information and communication technology is not just confined to youngsters in school classrooms.

All across the county, in village halls, community centres and even in car parks, adults are also finding out how ICT can benefit them.

Taking the learning to the learner is the prime objective for the life-long learning team at Worcestershire County Council.

It means whole communities can update their skills and perhaps make a change to their employment situation.

"The demand is growing at a phenomenal pace," said Jim Brady, life-long learning officer at Worcestershire County Council.

"We've proved the concept of taking learning to the learner.

"It's difficult to sell learning if you come as a stranger, but by taking these courses to primary schools, we get mums learning together.

"In village halls you have friends and neighbours learning together.

"They're reluctant to go into institutions and they like to learn with the people they know in a venue where they are comfortable.

"A lot of the confidence issues disappear.

"It's having crossed the threshold of learning. A significant proportion wants to do other things, such as learn the guitar. Doing these courses proves they can learn."

But if a village or tiny hamlet doesn't have a village hall where the council's laptops can be hooked up to, it doesn't mean it has to miss out on the learning opportunities.

The council has been running the comput@bus, taking it out to mostly rural venues. Sitting on board, it's hard to imagine that you could be in a field in rural Worcestershire or in any other location.

Last term, the bus would travel to car parks in Upton-upon-Severn, a pub in Wadborough, near Pershore, and Eastham, near Tenbury Wells.

This year, more and more venues are being added.

"It's finding innovative places to go out to," said Richard Morgan, who runs the comput@bus.

"I think the most remote place so far has been at Eastham Village Hall .

"At lunchtimes I was out watching the buzzards. It really was isolated."

The bus is equipped with its own satellite, power supply and nine computers.

I joined the course in a car park in Upton-upon-Severn one frosty December morning, as the current course was coming to an end.

The participants were opening up an e-mail account which they can use long after they finish studying.

Panic

"We never would have though about getting e-mail before," said Elizabeth Lean, who attended the course from her Birtsmorton home with husband Derek.

"It terrifies me. At home I wouldn't even turn the computer on because I thought it would take over. It's a panic knowing what to do, but Richard has sorted us out.

"It's set us on our own way."

The council currently runs around 80 different courses, mostly in ICT.

They involve around 22 hours tuition, taking place over 10 weeks.

All beginners' courses are free and offer the chance to update skills or learn from scratch.

The education directorate is also branching out into the arts and will be piloting different courses in the coming months.

But, while the council is keen to take the learning to the learner, it's also promoting life-long learning opportunities in the community.

The Fairfield Centre is due to open at Elbury Mount Primary School.

It is a multi-million pound project that will involve outside agencies teaming up with the council to provide a multitude of opportunities.

"It already houses a UK Online centre, which is run by Worcester College of Technology," said Mr Brady.

"It will also house a nursery and a Sure Start family learning base.

"All these things will be complementary. I'm very excited by that.

"It will provide a model for a number of facilities around the county.

"I want to encourage schools to develop as areas for adult learning."

So, whether you have a village hall or nearby school that offers courses, or just a pub car park for the comput@bus to park in, the opportunities to learn are endless.

Learning isn't only for school age children, it is open to all.

Instead of trying to stick to the usual New Year's resolutions of giving up things, why not make a new one to take up the learning habit?

For more information on the comput@bus call Richard Morgan on 01905 426600.

For other life-long learning opportunities call Annette Wright, Life-long Learning Project Worker, on 01905 728535.