Community Technology Instructors Deliver Digital Skills in Chatham County

Kramden’s Computer Basics initiative is enhancing digital skills in the Triangle. In collaboration with the Central Pines Regional Council of Governments (CPRC) and Chatham and Durham Counties, the program will provide digital skills training and refurbished laptops to 1,000 adults. Since launching in March, four Community Technology Instructors (CTIs) have conducted two sessions of the course in Chatham County.

In 2025, CTIs will deliver 34 rounds of the course in Chatham County. Each class can accommodate up to 15 people. Everyone who completes the course will receive a refurbished laptop, including 90-days of free technical support. After the 90-day period, recipients have access to Kramden’s low-cost tech support services for as long as they have the device.

Two versions of Kramden’s digital skills course are available for adults: Computer Essentials for New Users and Computer Skills for Job Seekers. Computer Essentials is Kramden’s flagship class and an excellent fit for anyone with little to no prior experience using a computer. In 2024 Kramden’s education team designed the Job Seekers course to fill a need while delivering training to Forsyth County residents. This course focuses on helping those with basic computer skills improve their proficiency to better enter or advance in the workforce.

Two classes have been completed in Chatham County with 28 adults receiving a refurbished laptop computer. The Computer Essentials classes were held in Pittsboro and Siler City, with more scheduled. More information about the Chatham County classes, and how to register, can be found at chathamcountync.gov.

Later this year, Kramden will begin holding the same CTI-led classes in Durham. The Kramden team is grateful for the opportunity to bring digital skills and technology to more people in North Carolina. This collaboration with CPRC is one of many projects we are working on with State and Municipal governments. North Carolina has become a leader in digital equity, and we are honored to be part of that work.