Inaugural NAPCA Digital Skills Training Program

Seattle | Los Angeles | Chicago | Washington, March 9, 2023 — National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) hosted the inaugural graduation of the first session of its Digital Skills Training Program in Seattle.

David L. Kim, NAPCA’s President & CEO, said at the graduation ceremony, “I’d like to thank you for all for your hard work and dedication to the program. Your participation has made this program an ultimate success and has encouraged NAPCA to continue to provide this type of computer training for seniors.” Mr. Kim continued, “Special thanks to Shayna Daitch for delivering personal congratulations from Senator Patty Murray to each participant. Also thanks to AAJC and Google for funding this program; Circle of Friends for Mental health for recruiting the student volunteers from University of Washington; also thanks to Dress for Success and InterConnection for supporting our elders with equipment that they can keep to give them access to continued learning on the internet. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of the dedicated NAPCA staff who made this success possible, especially Hakan Yilmaz, SCSEP Project Director, and Annora Zheng, Senior Benefits Counselor.”

Jo Park, Chief Programs Officer, “Thanks to the Senior Community Service Employment Program enrollees worked hard to learn computer skills which will improve their ability to find a job and improve their quality of life.”

NAPCA’s Digital Skills Training Program is a comprehensive 40-hour training that teaches basic computer skills. The first session of the training, which began on December 6th, 2022, was conducted entirely in Chinese. Thirteen Chinese seniors from NAPCA’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) have participated. Each participant was provided with a laptop for the on-site training. Despite the average age of 70, the participants showed dedication and persistence throughout the training. Joining the training with no prior computer knowledge, they have acquired the basic computer skills to cope with today’s digital world.

As a result of the training, many of the graduates have developed a newfound appreciation for the power of technology. The participants have shared personal stories on how the program has helped them improve their employment prospects and greatly enrich their lives, which is especially crucial that many seniors felt isolated from their communities during the pandemic.

Mr. Hsu, one of the participants of the program, thanked NAPCA: “Not only did I learn how to use the computer, but it strengthened the bond with my grandchild who helped me practice between classes.”

NAPCA is currently recruiting participants for the second session of the training program. NAPCA is committed to helping Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) seniors overcome barriers and improve their chances of gaining the type of employment they deserve. And by providing opportunities access to digital skills training, NAPCA believes it can proliferate their value and potential in society.

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