IT equipment has been donated as part of DVLA’s new Digital Inclusion Scheme, which aims to donate digital equipment that DVLA no longer needs to local authorities for redistribution to schools across Wales. Swansea Council are the first recipients of the scheme.

The scheme supports the growth of vital digital skills for all and helps to ensure that young learners aren’t faced with digital exclusion.

DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said:

I’m extremely proud of this new scheme and am delighted that Swansea Council is the first to receive our donated laptops. Digital inclusion is key to ensure all pupils have access to the technology they need to develop digital skills for themselves and the region.

We are aiming to roll the scheme out across Wales and encourage all local authorities to sign up and join DVLA’s Digital inclusion scheme.

Swansea Council’s Leader Rob Stewart said:

I’m delighted Swansea is the first local authority to begin working with DVLA on the Digital Inclusion scheme as part of our commitment to making sure that all our schools and pupils have access to digital devices at home and at school.

Some pupils are already using the equipment and many more will benefit along with their families, so I’d like to thank the DVLA for involving us in this great community initiative.

The Digital Inclusion Scheme also supports circular economy in action. Repurposing IT equipment extends the life of a laptop, helping to reduce the number of machines which are disposed of. This act helps to reduce DVLA’s carbon emissions towards net zero.

The scheme is open to primary and secondary schools across Wales. To join the scheme, local authorities can sign up now via DVLA’s Stem website.

Notes for editors:

• All devices donated under the scheme are cleansed to agreed government standards and provided with operating system licences via the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher programme.
• The 90 laptops donated were successfully recycled by E-Cycle and donated to Swansea Council via our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives this year.
• More information on this scheme and all other STEM programme initiatives, including this year’s DVLA Code Challenge 2022 event, can be found on the newly relaunched DVLA STEM website.