Ysleta Community Learning Center helps curb fear of technology

As technology continues to advance, it’s becoming increasingly harder for some generations to keep up. The Ysleta Independent School District is hoping to help with specialized classes. The Ysleta Community Learning Center has been around for 22 years. It’s offered classes that open pathways to careers including ESL, Security Officer, Custodial and now, Microsoft Office Certification classes. “We certify probably about 100 students a year in various career pathways, our overall population is over 1,200 students a year,” YCLC Director Louis Martinez said. Martinez says the center began offering the Microsoft Office Certification classes last July. “When we polled the students and said what are the skills that you most need they identified computer literacy computer skills and specifically the ability to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access,” Martinez said. Due to the high turnout, classes are now offered during the day and at night in both English and Spanish. “The know the importance. A bunch of them first came to me being scared. And now, they’re a lot more comfortable, I’ve seen the progress in all of them. And they’re all doing so good, I’m so very proud of them,” Microsoft Office Specialist Instructor Vanessa Betancourt said. In Betancourt’s daytime class, there are 14 students ranging in ages 30-50. “I had no computer skills, very little computer skills and now I’m learning so much here,” Emma Alva, a YCLC student said. Alva recently lost her job after the company she worked for shut down. She tells ABC-7 she didn’t have any computer skills to help her get a job. She says it’s hard for her and her peers to keep up with smartphones, social media and basic computer skills. “And now, I’m struggling because even to fill out a job application, you have to get into the internet and that I’m sure will be a struggle for me,” Alva said. After three weeks into the course, Alva says she feels more comfortable using computers. She and her peers will finish the course in June. “I thought that I was old, too old to continue, this has really proven me wrong,” Alva said. All classes offered at the Ysleta Community Center are FREE. Registration for all courses is underway until April 13th and from April 18th-21st for Microsoft Office, Security and Custodial. For information call (915) 434-9403.