Digital literacy roadmap: Bendigo’s next wave of free tech courses takes shape

The Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is already offering free courses in AI for beginners, MS Word and Google Docs. Later this year, it plans to roll out new workshops covering cloud storage, search engines, social networking for work, and WordPress, training that local organisers say is increasingly essential as everyday tasks shift online.

The push comes as global tech giants race to embed artificial intelligence into daily life. On the same day Apple opened its new Siri AI to all iOS 27 beta users, and Anthropic released an ad campaign that has drawn criticism for its unsettling tone, Bendigo’s grassroots programs are focused on the fundamentals: helping people who feel left behind by rapid technological change.

What’s coming next at the Hub

According to the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub’s published course calendar, new Digital Literacy workshops are expected to begin in March and continue throughout the year. Topics include cloud storage, using search engines effectively, social networking for professional purposes, and building a basic website with WordPress. The Hub already runs small classes with individual support, providing laptops and workbooks to participants.

The Hub also delivers the ‘Click and Learn’ program, which combines English language development with basic computer tuition. Funded by the City of Greater Bendigo, it is designed specifically for people from non-English speaking backgrounds. The program aims to build both language confidence and the digital skills needed to navigate government services, job applications and everyday communication.

Bank-backed training reaches beyond customers

Bendigo Bank has partnered with the Good Things Foundation to deliver digital literacy programs across more than 50 branches. These include face-to-face training sessions on topics such as banking safely online, which are open to both customers and non-customers. The bank says the goal is to ensure no one is excluded from the digital economy because they lack confidence or know-how.

For educators, the Digital Technologies Hub offers free curriculum resources with lesson ideas, activities and explorations that align with the Victorian Digital Technologies curriculum. The resources are available to teachers across Bendigo and are designed to help integrate digital skills into classroom learning from an early age.

While specific enrolment numbers for the upcoming workshops have not been released, the Hub’s existing courses consistently fill to capacity, according to organisers. The free model, no cost for tuition, equipment or materials, removes the financial barrier that can prevent people from pursuing training.

For Bendigo residents who want to get ahead of the next wave of digital change, the advice from program coordinators is straightforward: start with a single course, even if it feels basic. The Hub’s introductory classes assume no prior knowledge, and the WordPress and cloud storage workshops are designed to follow on naturally from those foundations.

Registration for the new workshops is expected to open through the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub’s website in the coming months. In the meantime, the existing courses, including Intro to AI for beginners, MS Word and Google Docs, remain available for anyone who wants to build confidence before the next round begins.