Anthony Broughton (TAFE NSW IT education support officer), Tracey Lee Walker (Rotary Club of Albury Hume), Joel Sulman (director iStartup Tech Solutions), Ashton Carmody (TAFE NSW trainee), and Kevin Liao (TAFE NSW ICT teacher). Photo: TAFE NSW.
TAFE NSW is working with the Rotary Club of Albury Hume to help local community members in need by donating old computers that have been rebuilt and repaired by TAFE NSW students.
The computers, which would have otherwise ended up in landfill, have been repaired and rebuilt by trainees to support individuals with education, connecting with family and seeking employment.
TAFE NSW information technology teacher Kevin Liao said the ICT courses at TAFE NSW provided learners with practical experience using current and emerging technologies.
“This initiative not only equips trainees with valuable technical skills but also contributes to the local community by providing access to technology,” he said.
“The project also promotes sustainability by reducing electronic waste and extending the lifespan of the devices,” he said.
“Traineeships are a valuable training method combining hands-on training and employment, helping students hone job-ready skills while gaining valuable workplace experience.”
A refurbishment can take up to nine hours of work, but each laptop is different and can vary according to its age and the state it’s in.
“We use a tool to completely erase data, we then upgrade the ram and install a new software system,” said Kevin.
To complete the package, iStartup Tech Solutions has donated new laptop cases, providing extra support to community members receiving the laptops.
One of the students involved in the project, Ashton Carmody, is completing a traineeship with TAFE NSW while studying a Certificate III in Information and Technology.
It was a natural progression for Ashton to take up the course as he was always the class troubleshooter in high school when anyone needed help.
“My aunt works at TAFE NSW and suggested the idea because she knows I wanted to work in the industry. The course has been invaluable and the range of practical skills I’ve got from the course are second to none.”
Ashton has worked to refurbish the computers donated by Wodonga Senior College and Inditech by replacing broken or damaged parts and giving the devices a new lease on life.
“I’m so happy to have the chance to give back to community. Knowing these computers are helping people get jobs, improve their circumstances, have access to online support and keep in touch with family is very rewarding,” he said.
On completion of his course Ashton hopes to stay with TAFE NSW as a field support person.
“I love getting out, exploring campuses and helping people,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Albury Hume’s Tracey Walker said the project aimed to bridge the digital divide and enable people with technology.
Teacher Kevin Liao works with student Ashton Carmody in a project that sees unwanted laptops get a new lease of life and distributed to people in the community in need of access to technology. Photo: TAFE NSW.
They have nearly 25 laptops currently being distributed to people who have been identified through the work that Rotary do within the community.
“We are thrilled to be working with TAFE NSW to use their expertise and work together to ease the burden of not having the tools to stay connected in our digital world,” said Tracey.
“There are so many advantages of this program with benefits to community, reducing environmental impact and upskilling students who work in the ICT industry.
“This has been a pilot and it’s been a huge success for community members and valuable work experience for TAFE NSW students. With the cost of living still out of control, we will roll out the program again next year.”
If you have a laptop no older than 10 years you would like to donate (all data is wiped and reset as a part of the refurbishment process), or you would like to apply for a refurbished computer, please contact Tracey Walker at [email protected]
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