Office automation and the Internet for all

"This project will give marginalized people access to web-based services either to find a job or facilitate their daily lives. It is definitely a useful initiative."
Gérard Ivora

As part of the digital public space program coordinated by the City of Paris, Microlithe is developing a range of activities aimed at jobseekers in eastern Paris. Based in the working-class neighborhood of Haut-Belleville, it offers an initiation into computer technology for people most in need of this skill, along with the possibility of more in-depth training. Given growing demand in this field, Microlithe has decided to focus on very marginalized sectors of the population: people experiencing social or professional difficulties due to their age, handicap or socio-cultural environment, etc.

Training leading to a qualification

Microlithe will be offering these new beneficiaries a training program leading to a diploma in use of the Internet and the office automation tools most commonly used in business. On completion of the course, the trainees will receive a “European IT skills passport" that should boost their chances of obtaining work.
A second initiative is aimed at disabled people or people with reduced mobility. Microlithe will seek guidance from organizations specializing in work with disabled people with the aim of helping this group learn valuable new skills: using the Internet as a tool for seeking information, communication, exchange of views and learning, along with other useful web-based skills such as carrying out administrative procedures, shopping or using online banking services.

To develop these two new initiatives, Microlithe needs to augment its reception capacities: its current premises, only 45m², are too small and in any case are not equipped for people in wheelchairs. The organization has therefore rented a second space, which it is fitting out with the support of public and private sector sponsors including the Veolia foundation.