Lynn Haitian community leader opens computer training center

LYNN – A leader in Lynn?s Haitian community has opened a new computer software school on Western Avenue, which aims to give immigrants from Haiti and elsewhere, skills that are essential in many workplaces.William Joseph, 60, came to America from Haiti in 1984 and is a leading activist for the Haitian community in Lynn, where he has lived for 17 years. Through that work and his career as an accountant and tax preparer, he said he has encountered many immigrants who lack the software skills necessary for career advancement.?I have known people who worked the same job for 20 or 22 years and never got a promotion because they cannot write a report [on a computer],” Joseph said. “And most would like to move from one job to another, but have a lack of understanding.”Joseph decided to help solve that problem by opening the Global Computer Learning Center with a loan from the Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (EDIC), on the second floor of an office building at 888 Western Ave.The EDIC loan, he said, was for the purchase of 15 computer stations.Joseph attended a computer program himself last year at Salem Cyber Space, which he said prepared him to open his own school. He also has a background in education, having taught English as a Second Language in Somerville and New York. And in Haiti he was a math and Spanish teacher.While there are other computer software training schools in the region, Joseph said many are not affordable for immigrant students, and programs run by non-profit community organizations including Lynn?s Operation Bootstrap, have long waiting lists.?There is more demand than there are courses offered,” he said.Global Computer Learning Center held its first classes last week, teaching the Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office software programs, which include Word, PowerPoint and Excel.?I have 20 people registered for the first class. It?s an eight-week program and we have classes every day Monday through Friday. The students choose two days a week,” Joseph said. “It?s three hours of instruction per week, and the cost is only $25 per week, $200 for the eight-week course.?I?m not doing this to make money, but to give people opportunity,” Joseph said.Class is held each weekday from 10-11:30 a.m. and from 6-7:30 p.m. Joseph and his staff of several instructors, teach in English, Spanish, French and Asian Creole.Jean Filias, 42, who emigrated from Haiti 10 years ago, is among the first class of students.?I?m taking the course because it is very important [to have computer skills], to work as a supervisor,” he said.Contact Global Computer Learning Center at 781-599-2800.Sean Leonard can be reached at [email protected].