A program geared to help educate those in rural communities could soon be rolling into your community. Our Amanda Kelley tells us about Jefferson Community College's new mobile training lab and what exactly it's equipped to do.

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LEWIS COUNTY, N.Y. -- It's a high tech classroom that can go anywhere. Jefferson Express, a new program fully funded by a stimulus grant, is bringing computers literally into the community.

Jefferson Community College Continuing Education Dean Jill Pippin said, "We're really trying to make these the tool by which we can get out to people in our rural areas just to get them more interactive and interacting with technology."

The mobile classroom will teach a wide range of topics, such as Microsoft based programs or even Quickbooks for those looking to keep their business finances on track. Anyone can take the classes.

Pippin said, "Our audience includes the unemployed, the under-employed, folks that perhaps just want to brush up on their workplace skills perhaps they haven't used Microsoft word in awhile."

Through partnerships with the Workplace and New York State Small Business Development Center, they'll reach out to even more people looking for resume or marketing workshops. It's something some small towns never had access to.

Assistant Director of New York State Small Business Development Center Ann Durant said, "This is very exciting to be able to take this out to the communities and not to have just one central location for a program, but to take it out to the people so they can get the things that they need to know about."

There are even classes for senior citizens to help close the digital divide. They'll teach social networking skills, and different ways to keep in touch with loved ones in the 21st century.

Durant said, "You can use it to communicate with your family members and share pictures and things of that nature."

This van will begin bringing classes to areas of Jefferson and Lewis counties beginning in February. They're hoping to hold between four and six classes per week and help as many people in the community as possible. Many of these workshops will be free, but some will come with a small feel.

For more information on how to bring the Jefferson Express into your neighborhood, contact Jefferson Community College Continuing Education Division at continuingeducation@sunyjefferson.edu or (315) 786-2233.