Hutt City Council is bringing back its free digital literacy programme this year after the programme earned plenty of interest in 2015.

The programme, Stepping UP, offers free computer skills classes for residents with basic or no computer skills.

Last year more than 750 Lower Hutt residents took part in the programme.

The pilot, established by the 2020 Communications Trust and Hutt City Libraries in 2012, has seen people from all walks of life participate in the programme and resulted in increased confidence and skill levels.

There are fourteen subjects to choose within the programme, including a new class, Introduction to Tablets. According to the council, last year's Introduction to Social Media and Digital Photos proved so popular that more have been added.

A Computer Basics class is available for people who have never touched a computer before.

“As our lives become more and more reliant on computers and the internet, this programme allows people of all ages to gain confidence and knowledge, regardless of previous experience,” explains Hutt City Libraries manager Sandra Mann.

Stepping UP is available at five of the council's libraries: Naenae, Stokes Valley, Taita, Wainuiomata, and War Memorial.

Classes start from Tuesday 9 February. Registrations open Tuesday 26 January.