MASSCAP

CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
A Report on the Information Technology Needs, Capacities, and Initiatives of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts

Staff Training at Massachusetts CAAs

Community action agencies in Massachusetts are engaged in providing IT training for their staff in a variety of ways. From formal classes to informal peer-to-peer troubleshooting and on-line tutorials, CAAs are doing their best to keep up with today’s fast-changing technology.

Basic education in computer use and standard software applications—as well as on-going training and follow-up—are among the top needs for CAAs because of scarce resources and competing priorities. Many CAAs look to MASSCAP for leadership in this area.

Number of CAAs Engaged in In-house Training: 14

Number of CAAs that send staff to External Training (either through consultants or classes taken outside the agency): 20

Common Training Topics:

• Basic Microsoft Windows

• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access)

• E-mail software

• CAP Systems

Types of Training:

• Casual in-house discussion

• "As needed" training

• Dependence on individual staff to train themselves

• Training attached to troubleshooting

• Informal mentoring

• Creation of resource people in individual programs for one-on-one support to staff

• Training provided by government funders

• Training in collaboration with local computing or technology centers, vocational schools, high schools, colleges

• Creation of computer labs

• Software tutorials

• On-line courses

• Training by consultants

• Training by software vendors

• Incorporating computer training in new staff orientation

CAA Staff Who Do Training:

• MIS/IT staff members

• Deputy or assistant directors

• Planners

• Fiscal personnel

• Human resource managers

• Program directors/supervisors

<< Return to Part III: CAA Staff Information Technology Skills, Training, Education & Support