Fort Simpson (Dec 24/04) - For Bertha Allen, a computer was once an object to be feared. No longer.

She is a graduate of Aurora College's four-month computers in the workplace course. The students were taught to use a variety of programs and even how dismantle and rebuild a hard drive.

"So, if you have a broken computer, bring it to us," Allen said, laughing. "I didn't know computers were so interesting. I was scared of them, but now I've got confidence."

For fellow graduate Janice Mandeville, the course was a stepping stone towards a diploma in administrative technology.

"I want to get into business management," Mandeville said. "This course has been really helpful in teaching me basic (skills)."

Some of the adult learners will be returning to Aurora College in January for an office administration program. The school will also be offering a bookkeeping course and a Simply Accounting class.

A few of the students were pressed into action sooner than expected at a celebratory potluck lunch at the cultural centre last Friday. Orville Zaste, the computer instructor, was stuck in Trout Lake due to inclement weather. Therefore the students had to apply their knowledge to set up the computer equipment in order to project a slide show on a big screen.

Barb Tsetso, regional co-ordinator for Aurora College, presented certificates to the students, including three who took only the business English and business math portion of the computers course.

Tsetso pointed out that some of the participants achieved very high marks and called them a "tremendous group."

In accepting her certificate, Merle Snider pumped her arms in the air and proclaimed, "Yeah, I did it."

Tsetso noted that Snider worked her way up to 30 typed words per minute from 14.

She also mentioned the students developed a bond over the past few months.

"I'd hear them laughing down the hall and some days I'd think they're having way too much fun," Tsetso joked.