Training company taps into silver surfer market

A GENERATION of so-called silver surfers – older internet users – has led to the creation of a new UK-wide business based in Warwick.

Silver Training is the brainchild of Matthew Adam who set-up the company in the spare bedroom of his previous home in Hornton near Stratford.

Now employing 31 trainers and running the home computer training company for the over-50s with sales and marketing director Barry Pletts, Adam has moved Silver Training into offices at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Innovation Centre on Gallows Hill, Warwick.

The company runs one-to-one training sessions in the homes of their clients throughout the UK by using local trainers as well as holding courses for larger groups.

Adam said: “The statistics show there are about six million over-50s in the UK who are not online or don’t have the skills to make the most of the internet.

“I spotted a gap in the market for providing training for those aged 50 and above because no one else seemed to be providing home training as an option.

“I thought it would be a great idea to have a network of trainers for one-to-one training and we now have tutors stretching from Bournemouth to Banbury.

“The business runs on repeat bookings because most people require on average eight lessons.

“We want to add 30 more tutors every year as well as one or two full-time staff in the office because we have proved that it is never too late to learn computer skills.

“Our eldest client is 96.”