The success of the evening classes at the Castle has been proven by a good attendance and another two classes waiting to start up. May-Tag trainer Grace Barrie runs the Computing classes for beginners on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm until 9pm. Classes are very informal and no more than ten people are involved at any one time. "Computing for the Terrified " courses ran for 5 to 6 weeks and introduced students to the mysteries of getting started on Word Processing, Excel, Desk Top Publishing and Internet. Further courses are being planned of this popular course so that ultimately everyone in the town will have the chance to get internet and computing. Together with the courses offered by Community Education at Carrick, nobody need feel excluded.

In addition, most students have expressed a wish to go on and learn a bit more. Grace will be providing next stage courses to run for a further five or six week period.

For the really keen accreditation by SQA is on the cards!! Also coming along soon, by popular demand is a course which focuses on the popular Maybole web site, and in the autumn a course on European Computer Driving Licence will be available subject to demand from the more confident in the community. May-Tag plans not only to deliver this new course but to become a "testing centre" for people to sit the computer driving test which is accredited by the British Computer Society.

Access is free at 48/50 High Street, the Community Development Group's new premises.

Employment Training

May-Tag continues to offer valuable access to learning and skills to unemployed people in the town. If you are interested, May-Tag have a variety of courses to offer which widen access to jobs - from basic personal development skills, computing, landscaping, horticulture and support for anyone who needs a bit of help with writing, reading or number skills. All the employment courses are free, and all equipment and materials are supplied, as well as transport costs. All age groups can take up the offer from sixteen to sixty.

For more information, just call Christine, John or Grace at 01655 883765 and everything will be made as easy as possible for you to take up the many learning opportunities available locally.

Why not find out more about the new Government Individual Learning Accounts - open to the whole community (outwith school age). For just £25 of your money, the Government will pay another £150 to help you get up to speed. And if you cannot afford the £25, why not ask at Maybole community Development Group - they have a scheme whereby for a few hours voluntary work, they will pay the £25 to get you started !

Nothing is too much trouble - we'll help you get ahead of the game !