METRO SCREEN Cultural Projects

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Metro Screen Mobile Services - WOMEN OUT WEST

//::MULTIMEDIA TRAINING FOR WOMEN::\\
Early in the year we start the Women out West Multimedia Training Project funded through the NSW Department of Women. This pilot project combines digital media training, business studies and work placements. Up to 17 women in Parramatta and Richmond will develop skills in web design and business, promotion and marketing between April and September 2002. The project is aimed at a diverse group including young unemployed women, migrant women and older women returning to the workforce.

Metro Screen WOW Launch... 6 November 2002... see below for info...

WOW design profile - Rocellita Lacsina


			WOW - RICHMOND LAUNCH Wednesday 6 November 2002 12.30pm - 2.30pm Hawkesbury Skills 23 Bosworth Street Richmond
			WOW - PARRAMATTA LAUNCH Wednesday 6 November 2002 4.30pm - 6.30pm Parramatta Town Hall Room A Council Chambers 181 Chruch Street Parramatta

WOMEN OUT WEST | DIGITAL MEDIA TRAINING
Since May this year women in the Parramatta and Richmond areas have been undertaking digital media training as part of the Women Out West project. 15 women enrolled in the two projects with 12 still attending after five months of training. The women have been studying introduction to computing; digital imaging using Photoshop; web design using Dreamweaver; project management and business studies.
The project has been designed to meet the specific needs of the local women. As Cathy Glindermann, from the Richmond project points out "This training is fantastic. It offers childcare and allows me to get to school in time to pick up the kids. I would recommend it to anyone".
Many of the women are looking at opportunities beyond the course. Some of the Richmond women have been discussing setting up a co-operative to run their digital media business. "We are targeting the small business market in the Hawkesbury area. The idea of a co-op is good because we can all contribute with our specialised skills" said WOW student Rhonda Stapleton. A final outcome of the project is to prepare guidelines for community organisations wanting to establish digital media projects. The websites created by the women will be launched in late October.
Linda Graham | WOW Project Manager

WOMEN OUT WEST | ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project ran for 22 weeks from May - Oct 2002 (including training and work placements). Over this period the women studied introduction to computers, 4 digital media subjects and business studies.
Metro Screen organised a variety of guest speakers including Fuel for Arts (who specialise in using the internet for
promotion of arts based work), a professional Finance Manager to go over bookkeeping and basic accounting and a representative from Arts Law who addressed copyright and other legal issues.

The launch of the students work gave the women an opportunity to show case their work, meet employer groups, IT support networks as well as promoting further training opportunities.

Parramatta - 6 women completed the projec t.
Each student completed a website on an issue of personal interest
as part of their training.
One participant is creating a website to launch her career as a natural birthing educator.
Towards the end of the training the women did work placements in councils, universities and government departments.

Richmond - 8 women completed this project.
Most this group are young mothers looking to work from home. They approached the training in an enthusiastic manner as they saw it as an opportunity to work from home and still care for young children. The group are exploring the idea of forming a cooperative and are very keen to work together once the course has finished. Some of the women have also investigated the possibility of further training in the area.
The women at Richmond have been proactive in finding clients to do webpages for as part of their project work. Those clients include: a local hotel, gym,
rollerskating rink, neighbourhood centre and playgroup. There is a possibility that some of them may become paid clients in the future.

The Hawkesbury area has also been supportive of the project in terms of promotion. Two articles appeared in the Hawkesbury Gazette. We were also able to organise a computer lending program for women involved in the project. This meant that women who did not have access to computers at home were not disadvantaged.

The Women out West project makes a great case study for the Department for Women. The women are adament that they could not have done this course without the structures in place for this project (time of classes and childcare arrangements). They are already looking at pathways beyond the project and plan further studies. The cooperative approach to employment may also be a model of interest to other women around the state.

If you require further information about Metro Screen's Cultural Projects, please contact:
Rebecca Geach
P: 02.9361.5318
E: metro@metroscreen.com.au

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