Este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar las caracteristicas de los aprendices considerados competentes en el uso de las TIC en una institucion de formacion para el trabajo. Investigacion con metodo mixto en dos fases: en la fase cualitativa se aplico una entrevista semi-estructurada a 6 alumnos; en la fase cuantitativa, se construyo un instrumento de auto-reporte con escala de Likert con treinta (30) reactivos distribuidos en tres (3) dimensiones, el cual se aplico a 65 alumnos. Los resultados mostraron que existe una falsa auto percepcion del nivel de competencias del uso de las TIC. Los alumnos desarrollaron sus competencias principalmente en las nociones basicas de TIC y muy poco en herramientas de profundizacion y generacion del conocimiento. Los jovenes perciben que una combinacion de estrategias potencia la adquisicion de competencias y le atribuyen un gran valor a ciertas actitudes como factores positivos que favorecen el aprendizaje de las TIC. ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the characteristics of competent trainees in the use of information and communication technologies at the National Training Service, Colombian public institution. The investigation was made with a mixed method in two phases. First, the qualitative methodin which a semi-structured interview was applied to 6 students. For the second or quantitive phase, an instrument of self-report Likert scale with thirty (30) questions distributed in three (3) dimensions, was applied to 65 students. The results showed that there is a false self-perceived level of competence in the use of ICT. The trainees developed their skills mainly in the basic notions of ICT but poorly in the use of tools aimed to generate and deepen in knowledge. Trainees get the basics regarding ICT in the classrooms but they improve them outside.It was found that young people perceive that a combination of strategies enhances skill acquisition and attribute great value to certain attitudes as positive factors favoring the ICT learning.