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Give learning a go
At 76, Jacqueline Franklin rediscovered her enthusiasm for learning and gaining new skills after seeing an ad in her local newspaper for a computer course, Get Digital, and deciding to give it a go.
“I followed through to see if it suited me and to my joy, I gained a wish to learn and meet new people with similar interests.”
Throughout her younger years, Jacqueline was told that she had ‘no brains’ and would ‘go nowhere’. She found though, that she could succeed after doing a secretarial course. When a family came, Jacqueline stopped her learning to concentrate on her children’s schooling and upbringing, for a long time feeling as if her skills “were left in limbo”.
Then, after a separation, Jacqueline decided to reconnect with learning, enrolling in Get Digital at her local campus where she said that “…going to Warialda Community College recently, for the first time, made me feel strongly that I wanted to learn more.”
Jacqueline described her experience attending the college as “helpful”, “interesting” and “a very good atmosphere”. When she told her daughter that she'd enrolled in a course, she encouraged Jacqueline saying “It will expand your mindset!” That it did, as upon completing her first course, Jacqueline enrolled in three more!
After facing confidence loss due to life experiences and having been involved with counselling services in the past, Jacqueline felt that The Accidental Counsellor: Supporting Mental Health for Work workshop may enable her to support and help other people in need.
Jacqueline's desire to support others by learning new skills didn't stop there. Referring to her decision to enrol in First Aid, Jacqueline explained: “I could be out somewhere and a situation could occur, if I have the correct skills and knowledge to assist to save someone, it would be beneficial.”
As a ‘mature aged person’ Digital Skills training greatly interested Jacqueline as she felt her knowledge in this area required “considerable upskilling.”
“To all men and women out there, I sincerely wish to encourage mature aged persons and others to do a computer course with Community College, particularly those who are not computer literate. I strongly feel it's necessary to gain computer skills/knowledge, especially about things like anti-virus controls, and recognising scams. …so essential in today’s living.”
Jacqueline’s experience has pushed her to do more and further expand her knowledge. She is now considering reentering the workforce.
Get Digital classes run year round in campuses across the Northern Inland in 3-hour, weekly sessions that utilise learning resources from the Tech Savvy for Seniors and Be Connected programs.
Learn how to get the most out of using technology every day by enrolling in a free Get Digital class for beginners. Whether you're using a computer, tablet or smart phone to get online and interact in the digital world, these sessions will help develop your skills, confidence and awareness of safety online.
