#BTColumn – Let Community Tech Hubs do the People’s Business

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Steven Williams

Back in the early 2000s, I worked as the IT consultant for the Community Tech programme, a Barbados government initiative designed to enhance computing awareness and provide training to communities. This programme aimed to address the digital divide, which is the disparity in access to and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the Internet, particularly affecting socio-economically vulnerable groups within countries. The programme’s focus was on imparting basic digital literacy skills, including an introduction to PCs, spreadsheets, and word processing.

Fast forward to December 2023, and this programme seems outdated, especially in the context of the mobile era’s rise. With the dominance of social media and platforms like TikTok, mobile phones have become central to our digital lives and less so PCs. This change brings up a crucial question: what should be done with the community resource centres that are currently equipped with what are likely outdated computer systems? These centres, once vital in bridging the digital divide, now face the challenge of evolving to stay relevant in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

The solution to revitalising government resource centres appears evident and is almost urging the government to take decisive action. Repurposing these centres into dedicated hubs for government services could be a transformative step. In an era marked by a focus on digital transformation, where new methods are being developed to engage with the government and deliver services to citizens, it’s high time to reinvigorate these outdated centres. This initiative would align perfectly with current digital trends, providing a vital touchpoint for citizens to access and navigate government services with ease, thereby fostering a digitally empowered society.

Modernised centres can serve as vital resources in educating citizens on utilising online government platforms. For instance, they can teach individuals how to register a business name online, apply for a Police Certificate of Character, or efficiently use the TAMIS platform for tax filing. This approach can significantly reduce the annual workload on the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), especially during tax season, by limiting the need for internal resource deployment. Additionally, training resource centre personnel alongside the Digital Ambassadors on all active e-government services allows for the repurposing of existing skills, offering ongoing support, and easing the burden on government human resources.

This strategy is a contemporary reflection of past practices where citizens visited these centres for Microsoft business productivity suite training. Similarly, the revamped centres could provide training in online government service proficiency, enabling citizens to effectively navigate and use these digital services. Such an evolution in the resource centres would not only reaffirm their relevance but also markedly enhance the community’s digital literacy and engagement with government services.

Adopting this approach of transforming government resource centres into training hubs for online services has multiple benefits. It leads to enhanced citizen engagement and satisfaction, as individuals become more adept at accessing and using digital government services independently and efficiently. It reduces the strain on government resources by decreasing the need for additional manpower and budget allocation, particularly during busy periods.

The training offered improves overall digital literacy, helping bridge the digital divide and ensuring all citizens can participate in the digital economy. This method of service delivery is cost-effective, as digital platforms are generally more economical than traditional methods, reducing the need for physical infrastructure and paperwork.

Lastly, by fostering a population skilled in digital services, the government is better equipped to implement and adapt to new technologies and services in the future, ensuring agility and responsiveness to technological advancements and evolving citizen needs.

As the former IT consultant to the Community Technology programme, it’s disheartening to witness the underutilisation of what was once a groundbreaking initiative. The programme’s inception marked a significant stride towards enhancing digital literacy and bridging the technological gap in our communities. Yet, it’s disconcerting to see such a valuable resource dwindle in relevance and impact.

This situation reflects a broader issue where successive governments often overlook the potential of building upon established programmes. Rather than capitalising on the foundations laid by previous administrations, there’s a tendency to discard or radically alter these initiatives. This approach not only undermines the initial investment and effort put into these programmes but also misses opportunities for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing technological landscapes.

Revitalising existing investments like the Community Technology programme is not only cost-effective but also underscores a commitment to sustainable and consistent government policy. In the rapidly evolving tech world, it’s essential to adapt and improve these programmes. By updating the Community Technology programme to meet current digital trends, we can establish a model for how to effectively modernise past initiatives. This strategy goes beyond preserving legacy; it’s a forward-thinking approach to optimally use resources and meet current needs.

Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government’s Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). Steven can be reached at: Mobile: 246-233-0090 Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb