Benidorm TIC consolidates its success: more than 600 people already take free courses in new technologies

Benidorm TIC, the training program in new technologies framed in Benidorm's Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development Strategy (EDUSI), has already exceeded 600 students enrolled. With an offer of more than 100 different courses, Benidorm ICT is one of the most ambitious media literacy initiatives in the Valencian Community, and, with a satisfaction level of 100% of the students, it is already consolidated among the population of Benidorm.

To date, 35 courses have been completed on topics as diverse as the use of the Internet, basic computing, digital skills for people with functional diversity, and handling of smartphones for all types of groups. Since September, when this pioneering initiative started, 370 residents of Benidorm have successfully completed one of the many ICT courses offered by Benidorm.

"With Benidorm TIC, we seek to reduce the digital gap of groups at risk of exclusion, such as the elderly or people with disabilities, with this free and high-quality educational initiative," explained the mayor of Benidorm Toni Pérez. "Today the figures support this great commitment of Benidorm: 600 people have enrolled and, most importantly, 100% of the students would recommend the courses taken."

The students registered so far belong to various groups in Benidorm: retirees' associations stand out, especially that of Foietes with 74 registered students. Some of the other social groups that have benefited from this completely free training are people with disabilities, other retiree associations such as the Center and students at risk of exclusion referred by the Department of Social Welfare.

"It is important to highlight that they are long courses, lasting up to 40 hours and with a strong social character that are held in different locations in the city, which makes Benidorm TIC a pioneering and unique initiative in the Valencian Community,” added the mayor Toni Pérez. "Of the 100 courses that we had planned to carry out, we have already completed 35 in the computer classrooms that we have set up in municipal offices such as the José Llorca Llinares and La Torreta social centers, the Benidorm City Council itself and the Pepita Puchades Training Center for Employment .”

The Benidorm ICT investment, which amounts to 139,939 euros and is financed by 50% of the European FEDER funds, has also covered the fixed and portable computer equipment with which the students carry out the courses.

The initiative, which follows Benidorm's line of committing to quality education as a tool for social integration, responds to the second thematic objective of EDUSI Benidorm, which seeks to "improve the use and quality of information and communication technologies" contributing to “social inclusion and the fight against poverty.”

ABOUT BENIDORM EDUSI:

The Plurirregional Operational Program of Spain 2014-2020, and the Operational Program for Sustainable Growth (POCS) promote the DUSI strategy, for Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development, which Benidorm, as established in the Resolution of May 4, 2018, published in The Official State Gazette (BOE) of the Order of the Third Call HFP/888/2017, has managed to opt for and obtain financing from the FEDER aid of 10 Million Euros, through its EDUSI BENIDORM strategy.

EDUSI BENIDORM is made up of a series of thematic, specific, strategic, and operational objectives, encompassed through 13 Lines of Action, whose social, environmental, economic, and urban impact on the city aims to transform a delimited urban area of the city into the to intervene and regenerate fully, for the sake of producing an impact and global improvement in the city.