Vermont Adult Learning These days when computers for most people are not only an essential everyday work tool but also an almost essential part of everyday life, it is easy to forget there are many people that for various reasons are not computer skilled. Many of these did not have or did not take up opportunities to learn computer skills while at school, or they are New Americans who did not have the opportunity to learn these skills in their home countries.
Vermont Adult Learning (VAL), recognizes that without basic computer skills it is hard for anyone to advance at their place of employment, or even gain employment, and therefore has increased its computer skills program offerings. These programs are offered through VAL's six regional centers, in partnership with local groups such as community libraries, or at an employer's workplace at the request of the employer.
Currently, VAL is teaching a new computer class at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) - Basic Computers for EVS Employees. It is a 15-week class designed specifically for employees in the Environmental Services Department. Many of the participants are New Americans who also take part in VAL’s UVMMC on-site English language class which focus on building English skills within the context of workplace vocabulary, concepts, procedures, and tasks. The purpose of the two-hour, weekly computer classes is to learn how to use a computer in the hospital setting. This includes learning how to find ad reply to emails, find and print paycheck stubs, change personal information for forms etc, and respond to important hospital information and surveys.
Although a full evaluation of the course will be undertaken by UVMMC and VAL at the completion of the course to determine if additional courses will be for offered in Summer and Fall 2019, early indications are they will be.
UVMMC’s Michelle Brunner Bruner said having the classes on site has given “our employees a familiar place to learn and have alleviated any barriers that come with traveling to an offsite location. It was really rewarding seeing how excited our staff are with the introduction of this program. I was told by a coworker that she has had many employees asking to be signed up for the next semester of classes”.
COMMUNITY-BASED
VAL also offers two community-based classes, one for English language learners, that teach computer basics.
The first is a hands-on introduction to the computer for people with no or with very limited computer experience. Participants learn how to use the mouse and keyboard, and how to navigate the desktop. They are introduced to the Internet and MS Word and learn email basics. Class sizes are usually limited to eight participants.
The other class is designed for people who already have basic computer experience. With the use of an interactive computer lab, participants learn how to download and manage computer files, use Google Docs, and get an introduction to MS Excel.
Any Vermont businesses or organizations that would like to explore introducing computer classes at their workplace in partnership with Vermont Adult Learning are encouraged to contact Hal Cohen, VAL’s Executive Director at [email protected]