Cambridge resident Tanya Cole successfully completed a special program in Information Technology, funded by the Ontario Women’s Directorate at Conestoga College. She also completed all seven modules in a program known as the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). This latter achievement plus a personal essay have earned her first place in Canada in the ICDL’s A Brighter Future Contest.
On September 27 she received her award, an iPod and an engraved plaque, from Bryn Jones, the CEO of ICDL Canada, at a special reception held at Conestoga’s Doon campus in Kitchener.
A mother of two, Cole pursued the ICDL at the same time she was in the Information Technology program. With her Conestoga and ICDL certified computer skills, she has been able to secure employment. Ontario Works sponsored her participation at Conestoga.
She says, "Studying for the [ICDL] modules on top of my regular homework and exams was difficult, but allowed me to increase my skills and confidence.” She adds that employers are impressed with both the ICDL concept and the comprehensive nature of its approach.
Joyce Irving, her program administrator at Conestoga, comments, "Tanya has been a very positive influence on ICDL at Conestoga. She quickly realized the potential of the certification and went out of her way to promote it to her classmates as well as to potential employers.”
Based in Ireland, ICDL certifies uniform qualification skills in computer use in office, home and educational environments, updates standards regularly and monitors licensees worldwide. Conestoga College is authorized to administer the ICDL modules, which are in these areas: basic information technology concepts, computer use and file management, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation, and information and communication.
CONTACT: Joyce Irving, 519-748-5220, ext. 2200, jirving@conestogac.on.ca; Bryn Jones, 1-905-602-8094, brynjones@icdl.ca