Silvia Bethencourt - Workforce Issues Interview

Silvia Bethencourt, who is the Community Information Coordinator - TRI Community Exchange, has been interviewed on Workforce Issues by Miguel Ferrero (MF). MF is the convener of the Training Directions Network. This is a summary of the conversation.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PARTH TO YOUR CURRENT JOB?

I joined TRI just over 10 years ago as the Database Assistant for the online Community Services Directory. I had already been working in the sector for about 5 years in administration roles. I am now the Community Information Coordinator at TRI and part of TRI's IT team

joining TRI marked the beginning of my passion for online technologies and their benefits for the sector. It inspired me to go to University and get my BA in Internet Studies. I have, in the last decade, well and truly become an Internet nerd! It's been so exciting to be part of TRI's growth as a provider of quality IT services to the sector. I love my job - whether it be administering communityNet, building websites or training, every day is an adventure in Techie Dork Heaven. And I can't gush lyrical enough about our team - they are ace!

WHAT IN YOUR OPINION ARE THE KEY WORKFORCE ISSUES FACED BY THE COMMUNITY SECTOR?

I think the issues faced by the sector in regards to the effective use of ICT (Information Communication Technologies) are varied and are particularly problematic for small organisations, in trying to build ICT capacity with very limited time and resources. It's difficult to see ICT as a priority with so many other pressing priorities to be met

Often there is a lack of understanding of technology needs, including training and support. There is the question of money - the difficulties around budgeting for ICT, particularly when funding programs don't include this component.

There is sometimes a negative attitude to ICT and limited appreciation of its potential benefits by senior management, which means technology is not incorporated into organisations' strategies

WHAT STRATEGIES THE SECTOR COULD DEVELOP TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES?

ICT has a big role to play in building community and social capital, and in my opinion this role will continue to grow. I think we need to see ICT as an integral part of our organisations' overall planning and strategy, and understand that budgeting must include a healthy ICT component that includes provision for things like training and for effectively engaging online with stakeholders.

Organisations like ours need to continue to promote the role and needs of nonprofit organisations with regards to ICT and to recognise the diversity of the sector, its individual ICT needs and capacity and how best to address them.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THE COMMUNITY SECTOR THAT COULD BE HELPFUL TO FACE THESE ISSUES?

My advice is first of all, know what your needs are. There are lost of questions to be asked. What can ICT offer to make your service better, to make your work more efficient, and to make your community thrive? what tools are out there and which ones will have the most impact while being realistic about how much time and resources you can allocate to effectively using them? What are your training needs?

Talk with other organisations that do similar work to you. What are they doing? What have they found effective? What strategies have they put in place for, for instance, engaging stakeholders online? Is there scope for collaboration between you?

Finally, I would say, don't be afraid of technology. Technology is a big word for what is basically blinkly lights! There is a quote by Surfrider's CEO Jim Moriarty that I love: "Networks aren't about technology any more than books are about paper". We do networks well in the sector - it's intrinsic to our work. By expanding our networks through ICT, we can do more sharing, communicating, campaigning, advocating, connecting - the sky's the limit!