The Cibervoluntarios Foundation has returned to Ibiza with a clear objective – to reactivatedigital training for all citizens, with a special focus on the elderly –but it has encountered an unexpected stumbling block: it cannot find enough local trainers to launch the “Yo Conecto” program , scheduled for the coming months. The project coordinator, Andrea Tarraso, explains to La Voz de Ibiza that the call is still open, but that “we are finding it difficult to find trainers in Ibiza“.
The organization, which has already collaborated in local digital inclusion initiatives, stresses that having teachers available is the essential step to get started. At a time when the island is multiplying public courses on digital procedures -such as municipal digital identification or workshops for the elderly-, the need for new hands has become urgent.
Growing demand without sufficient personnel
In conversation, Tarraso points out that the shortage is specific to the island: “It is in Ibiza, in particular, where we find it most difficult” to fill the positions. The offer involves discontinuous fixed contracts, a format that makes it difficult to close a stable list of professionals. “You can teach a course one week and then have two weeks off,” he added, an intermittency that conditions availability.
The organization recalls that the digital divide, especially among the elderly, is manifested in everyday gestures: making a doctor’s appointment, downloading a certificate or carrying out a bank transaction. The lack of trainers is a de facto obstacle for these groups to access basic tools for social participation.
What “Yo Conecto” offers
The program, structured in eight hours of training, is aimed at adults and senior citizens, with sessions that can be divided into two or four classes. Tarraso summarizes the contents as follows:
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Safe use of the Internet and cybersecurity.
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Online shopping and electronic banking.
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Procedures with digital certificate, DNIe or permanent Cl@ve.
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Mobile core competencies and applications.
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Digital resume and personal branding.
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Social networks and online protection, especially in young people.
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Prevention of cyberbullying.
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And, in some cases, more advanced content, such as an introduction to artificial intelligence.
“It is a broad course, it adapts to the needs of the group and can be given in town halls, educational centers, senior centers or organizations that work with the disabled,” said the coordinator. The Foundation includes prior training, materials and direct coordination with the entities.
Activities planned until May, but without a closed calendar
The foundation has room to deploy activities in several municipalities “from now until May of next year“, but the definitive calendar depends on closing the teaching team. “We have quite a few activities organized and, depending on the availability of the trainer, we propose some or others,” Tarraso explained.
Without sufficient trainers, the organization cannot activate dates or communicate to the municipalities which weeks will be covered. For the NGO, the bottleneck is not in demand, but in operational capacity.
What has already been done on the island: provisional and to be confirmed data
Cibervolunteers differentiates two lines of work on the island:
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Programs with contracted trainers. Several digital camps have been carried out in alliance with different organizations (such as ACTEF- Associació d’Altes Capacitats d’Eivissa i Formentera, Col-legi Sa Real, Sant Antoni De Portmany City Council). Approximately 60 young people between 9 and 17 years old have been trained .
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Technology volunteer programs, taught by cyber-volunteers, which have reached some 60 adults in basic digital skills.
These figures show that the entity has already woven a previous presence, although it now intends to extend the reach to all adult citizens.
Job requirements: information pending from HR
From the Human Resources area of the foundation, they point out: “We are looking for students or adults with studies related to education or with a focus on technological tools. They can be studying or working in other areas; the important thing is that they have availability and can combine it”.
At the same time, they clarify: “They must be profiles with some experience in the field of education or training with children, adolescents or adults”. And they ask to keep in mind that the work involves teaching “all kinds of groups: from people at risk of social exclusion to profiles with disabilities, citizens in general and senior citizens”.
In parallel, while programs such as Campamento Digital and YoConecto have specialized trainers, the rest of the programs are provided by cyber-volunteers, “who are also needed in the Balearic Islands,” the foundation explains.
These volunteers do not require an expert use of technology. “You can help by sharing what you know. We do workshops from basic to advanced level,” they clarify. Volunteering can be online or face-to-face, and training is offered.
Today, the foundation’s volunteers make up an active community of more than 5,100 people.
How to apply
The call for trainers is still open through the Work with Us portal of Cibervolunteers. From there, the Human Resources team contacts applicants to verify availability, area of residence and digital skills.
“Depending on the person’s résumé, their availability and where they live, they would be contacted to propose the activities we have,” Tarraso explained. The process is ongoing and the entity seeks to close as soon as possible a minimum pool of personnel to begin programming.
