The Community Access Program
The Community Access Program, or CAP, is an initiative of Industry Canada. CAP aims to ensure that Canadians in rural and remote communities have affordable access to the Information Highway - and to the great potential it offers for job creation and community economic development. The ultimate goal is to establish a national network of community access sites all across Canada. Managed by local committees of volunteers, Community Access sites are being set up in small, rural and remote communities in all regions of the country. Since physical access to the public is essential, many of these sites are located in libraries, schools and community centres. Community Access sites work with the various members of the community to increase their understanding of information technology, particularly the Internet, and help them acquire the skills they need to use it effectively. The involvement of young people is considered critical to the success of these sites. Staff members at these sites are also encouraged to give free computer and internet lessons to everyone that requests or requires it. This creates more people with a general understanding of computers and can get into the ever increasing amount of computer related jobs.
To find out more about the CAP program, check out the official CAP site.