A new initiative by the Computer Society of Bermuda and The Bermuda College to help employees bridge the digital divide is the kind of programme we should all support. The organisation and the college are working to bring the International Computer Driver's Licence (ICDL) certification programme to Bermuda.

The ICDL is a computer literacy standard designed to help employees upgrade basic computer skills. It was originally developed as the European Computer Driving Licence to provide a common platform for helping workers get a base from which to grow within the information technology marketplace.

The course is a means for companies to bring all employees up to a similar level of competence and serves as a benchmark for further retraining in the additional computer skills needed within a particular organisation.

The course is made up of seven modules which the employee completes at their own rate and on their own time in any order. As the candidate successfully passes each module, the completion of a skill is noted on their ''driver's'' card. Once the seven modules and the tests are completed the candidate gets the full ''licence''.

The Computer Society plans on launching the programme in May and is in the process of soliciting the support of Government and the business community.

Dr. Charles Finn, Dean of Applied Science and Technology for the College and the Chair of the Computer Society's Education Committee, has agreed to administer the programme and has set up a 10-week pilot training course, according to Nathan Gentry, the Computer Society's executive director.

An information technology training lab is also being set up at the college.

The lab will become a testing centre after the full launch of the programme.

"Dr. Finn and I travelled to Dublin last June to meet with the ECDL Foundation and I returned again in November for additional discussion including meeting with the ECDL Programme Manager for the British Computer Society,'' Mr. Gentry said.

Dr. Finn was instrumental in soliciting the support of the National Training Board which has funded the pilot programme for 20 local teachers. The pilot, with Dr. Finn as the teacher, starts on February 28 and runs every Monday for ten weeks.

Dr. Finn says he's in the process of preparing a business plan for a full course after which the Computer Society will apply to the ECDL Foundation for an ICDL licence for Bermuda. Then the entire Computer Society Board, including Dr. Finn and the 20 teachers in the pilot programme will take the exams for the seven modules before spreading the message.

"The programme of IT skills certification is specifically touted to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots in Information Technology skills, or to decrease the Digital Divide as it is being termed right now,'' Mr. Gentry said.

The term "digital divide'' refers to the increasing social split occurring within countries and between countries over access to information and technology, namely computers and the Internet.

The split was described in a ground breaking study "Falling through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide'' published last July by the US Department of Commerce. The 125 page study is available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/digitaldivide. It shows that a technological divide is occurring in America, one that has "widened significantly'' along racial and economic lines. Access to new technology had become one of the US's "leading economic and civil rights issues'', according to the document.

While it's not safe to transpose the data on to Bermuda's situation, people can see for themselves the difference in technological knowledge and experience between the well-off and the poorer families, the educated and not-so-well educated people, and even among employees within their own organisation.

Bridging the gap, and ensuring individuals, communities, companies and Bermuda's economy prosper is a key task for the private sector and Government.

XL Capital Ltd's move to fund a curriculum of promoting computer use in the schools is one such example of a well thought out plan of action.

Private enterprise has much to gain, perhaps even their own survival, from getting their own employees on the technological bandwagon. Computers and the use of the Internet have opened a spirit of entrepreneurship that seems to have devolved to more and more people.

One of the main suggestions from "Falling through the Net'' was for Government to make access to computers and the Internet available for everyone at community centres. This could easily be done on a more focussed scale on the Island by also opening up local schools to adults.

Where Bermuda differs from the US situation is in the prohibitive cost of Internet access on the Island. The US document noted with optimism that the falling cost of Internet access in America could help bridge the digital divide. Despite the denials from the private providers on the Island, the cost of Internet access on the Island is holding Bermuda back and some solution must be found to this major problem.

Looking at what's going on elsewhere I also suggest companies should seriously consider subsidising their employees purchases of home computers as a means of increasing their skills. For example Delta Air Lines, through a deal with PeoplePC has started a programme in which its 72,000 employees can each get a free fully loaded personal computer with unlimited Internet access to their home for $12 a month. Ford Motor Co. has also recently announced a programme offering subsidised computers to its workers.

And Government can also take example from Pennsylvania which has announced a two-week long tax holiday on purchases of home computers.

Like the Computer Driver's Licence such initiatives could be small but important steps to help people become more adept at using the computer as a tool. As Finance Minister Eugene Cox said in his budget speech: "Unqualified and ill-prepared people will face continued economic, and hence social, struggle. We cannot afford to waste any Bermudian lives and opportunities if they as individuals and we collectively as a people are to progress into the next century with confidence, fulfilment and prosperity.'' His answer was to throw some more money into the school sector. More money is needed, yet the issue is wider than the schools and children. The parents also need some help too. Government, the private sector and individuals -- who must also make it their responsibility to seek training -- need to go further in helping to bridge Bermuda's digital divide.

For information on the Computer Driver's Licence go to the Computer Society of Bermuda's web site at www.csb.bm.

Tech Tattle deals with topics relating to technology. Contact Ahmed at ahmedelamin yhotmail.com or (01133) 467012599.