TAFE teaches mature students to use a computer

TAFE NSW head teacher, Kelly Cook said many of the mature Glen Innes students had turned a computer for the first time while doing the nine month course.

"Thanks to the state-of-the-art learning opportunities available at the TAFE NSW connected learning centre in Glen Innes, they all have a new-found confidence to undertake important day-to-day tasks that will make their lives much easier," she said.

"The graduates can now operate a computer and laptop, process word documents, create and use email, upload documents, use social media and access their banking online, and use equipment such as scanners and printers."

Some of the students had gone on to further study after their certificate one in information digital media and technology.

Julie Teal said learning about spreadsheets and power point will come in handy volunteering.

Business services head teacher Ms Cook said she has a student who, as veterans, are entitled to funding they can only access online.

"To get funding he has to go online, and he doesn't even own a computer," she said.

"It's scary - they're scared to press buttons. They think it's going to explode!"

She said she wants more funding for an in-between course, but says a certificate two is too much. There's no need to teach her students how to code, but she wants to help them learn how to use social media.

She said the course was a great example that it doesn't matter what your age, knowledge or experience is, it's never too late to come to learn.