The new facility, which is slated to be opened at 21 Duke Street in the parish this month, will be offering a range of courses from basic computing to advanced Microsoft certifications.

A grand opening is scheduled for early next month.  According to Oliver Huie, president and CEO of Birdseye Network, a Connecticut-based technology company that will run the school, this will offer Trelawny students the opportunity to achieve higher technology training inside of the parish.

Huie, who hails from Trelawny, and is an executive member of the United States-based Friends of Falmouth Association (FOTA), said he plans to open other such institutes in other Jamaican communities over the next few months.

"It will be the first technology training centre for the people of Trelawny, who usually have to travel to Montego Bay or other nearby communities to take computer-training classes", Huie argued.

Birdseye Institute will offer a wide range of courses that are designed to meet the needs and particular interests of all students, from first-time users to advanced users.  These courses will include basic computing, basic Internet, computer assembling, A-plus Certification, Network-plus Certification, and Microsoft Office and a suite of productivity programmes.

North Telawny MP Dr Patrick Harris, who welcomed the opening of the facility, was hopeful that the institute would prepare individuals for jobs in the technology sector.  "It will have a very good impact because we are now looking at the high-end jobs for residents in the parish," said the MP.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/html/20050909t200000-0500_87952_obs_new__technology_institute_opens_in_falmouth_this_month.asp