Workers affected by the recent closure of Rockhampton's Lakes Creek meatworks will be able to receive free neighbourhood computer training from Central Queensland University's COIN Internet Academy, a project of the University's Faculty of Informatics and Communication and the Rockhampton City Council.

Former employees like Les Cooke (pictured far left) and Brett Svendsen (middle left), through the Meatworkers Support Group, will attend the Academy on East Street to participate in six two-hour sessions, which will give them skills to search for and apply for work online.

"They'll have an instructor and manuals and we'll make it easy for them to use the technology," said a university spokesperson.

"This gives us a chance to be computer literate," says Mr Cooke, a former slicer. His wife and two daughters have also signed up for the classes. The program is open to former meatworkers and their families.

A web page has also been designed and facilitated for the Support Group to keep workers in touch with each other and give them a forum to discuss personal and social issues..

"When a big operation like [Lakes Creek] shuts down, the social fabric of the work environment is gone and that every day face-to-face contact or support network suddenly disappears. This web-based forum was arranged for workers to communicate in a central spot and help ease things for those who may feel isolated and alone," explained Wal Taylor, who administers the COIN Internet Academy.

Organisations like the Meatworkers Support Group consult with COIN to explore technology strategies which link community networks to economic and social development in and around Rockhampton.

"We're delighted and couldn't be happier providing this service," explained Stewart Marshall, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Communication. He explained the initiative was an extension of both the university's mission to encourage community members to continuously learn and COIN's programs, which focus on the benefits of technology as a community component.

COIN has also organised Community Technology Day on 26 August for everyone in the community. Demonstrations are scheduled for Rockhampton High and an evening of infotainment will be held at the Pilbeam Theatre to highlight how technology can be used to overcome the special challenges that affect those of us who live in regional areas. It's part of the Information Technology In Regional Areas conference, an international gathering this month (26th to the 29th) in Rockhampton.

Researchers, policy makers, and community leaders attending the conference will explore strategies that connect economic and social development efforts with emerging opportunities in such areas as electronic commerce, community and civic networks and telecentres, electronic democracy, virtual health communities, and others.

For more information on the Meatworkers program, other community-group initiatives, or Community Technology Day, please contact COIN at coin@cqu.edu.au or phone 4923-2561.

Caption 1: COIN's Wal Taylor explains the benefits of small computer training classes to Les Cooke.

Caption2: Former Lakes Creek meatworkers Les Cooke (far left) and Brett Svendson (middle left) at a news conference Wednesday with CQU's Stewart Marshall (far right), Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Communication. CQU has launched a training program for workers affected by the plant closure.