GVC is seeking bilingual trainers for Merced and Stanislaus Counties

The Great Valley Center is seeking bilingual applicants for two California Connects community trainer positions which have just opened up. A trainer is needed for Merced County, as well as an additional trainer for Stanislaus County.

These are full time positions that pay $15 per hour and applicants must be able to speak and write fluently in both Spanish and English. Trainers provide free Internet classes targeted at area residents who are not currently connected online and Spanish is the primary language for many of these community members.

Trainers positions are still available in several other counties covered by the program grant. A California Connects community trainer job description is available on GVC's website.

California Connects' hands-on trainings cover basic use of Internet search engines, email, Facebook and broadband access. The training helps participants understand how they can use the Internet as a valuable tool to search for a job, get health information, learn English, apply for college, or connect to friends and family. The goal of the three-year, federally funded California Connects program is to provide Internet understanding and broadband access to over 61,000 California residents.

The Vida en el Valle newspaper featured the California Connects training being conducted in Riverbank on the front page of the November 16th Modesto edition, with the article appearing on their website in both Spanish and English as well. The Riverbank News also covered these training opportunities in October.

The success of the classes in Stanislaus County has been made possible though a partnership with CASA Del Rio Family Resource Center and Riverbank Unified School District. Stanislaus County community trainer Jose Urzua, pictured here with participants Maria Uristu (L) and Dora Fierro (R), has completed several classes with more scheduled in December and January.

Additional information on California Connects is available online or email Desiree Cervantes Holden, Program Manager.