Frances Saenz

Business Technology Certificate in General Office Assistant

YVC Student Frances Saenz was able to train for a new career through YVC’s Worker Retraining Program. After dropping out of high school Saenz began cutting asparagus with her father. At 18 she began working at Prosser’s ConAgra Foods and worked there for 25 years. When it closed in May 2010, Saenz was unsure what to do or how to gain new skills. With the help of YVC’s Worker Retraining Program Saenz was able to earn her General Education Development (GED) and then transitioned to college courses. “YVC’s program provided me with the support I needed as a returning student, “stated Saenz. “Through the program I have been able to meet new people, received support from faculty, and learned valuable computer skills,” she continued.

Through the efforts of the Worker Retraining Program Saenz learned that she also qualified for the Trade Act. The Trade Act is a federal program that helps assist students who were dislocated from a company whose goods/services were distributed internationally. This funding allowed her to focus on her studies without facing the financial burdens of being a student. “I would not have been able to afford college without YVC’s Worker Retraining Program,” concluded Saenz. Saenz graduated in March with a business technology certificate in general office assistant.