Raymond Perez, 17, has a busy schedule. He balances classes and takes part in after-school activities. He is one of many high school students preparing to take the next step in their lives. Many American students don’t have the skills to succeed at college or in the workplace.

According to The Alliance for Excellent Education, only 34 percent of high school graduates are qualified for college. Even though after-school programs have been cut due to budget cuts, studies show that they help prepare teens such as Perez for the future. The University of Washington’s Center for Information & Society examined the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Tech program, sponsored by Microsoft.

“Many lower- and middle-income students don’t have access to enriching after-school activities like Club Tech,”Joe Sullivan, lead author of the study, said: “As schools have geared curricula toward core academic competencies, organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs fill an important void.”

Teens and kids learn how technology can be used to help them succeed in school and their future careers.

“Club Tech is more than just providing computers. We give kids and teens an opportunity to engage with technology in a way that builds confidence and real-world skills,” said Karen MacDonald, vice-president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Perez has participated in Club Tech at Boys & Girls Clubs of Denver for two years. He has developed Web and graphic design skills and also learned leadership and the importance of teamwork. These are non-technical skills that will be crucial to his future. He has his own business that offers affordable Web and graphic design services.

“I love the unlimited creativity involved in Web design,” said Perez. “I’ve been able to increase my creativity and design skills. It was a challenge in the beginning, but being encouraged by my technology advisor really made me push for the sky.”

Technology access is an important supplement to classroom learning. Club Tech gives high-school students the opportunity to learn technology and become more informed about current affairs.

“With the right resources, all teens have the potential to be great scholars, entrepreneurs and leaders in our communities,”MacDonald added