QuickJobs Carolina™ Receives Grant Funds to Expand Accelerated Workforce Training Courses
June 18, 2009State Workforce Investment Board grants $4 million in stimulus funds to expand S.C. Technical College System’s QuickJobs workforce training program
COLUMBIA, SC – June 18, 2009 – A collaboration among state and local agencies aims to increase the state’s capacity to provide opportunity for dislocated workers and eligible adults to receive the job training to meet the needs of today’s challenging marketplace and to do so at an accelerated rate. The State Workforce Investment Board in coordination with the Department of Commerce today announced that it will provide a $4 million grant to the South Carolina Technical College System’s QuickJobs Carolina™ initiative. The grant funds are part of South Carolina’s portion of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) allocation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funds were secured in March and Commerce’s proposal was later approved by the State Workforce Investment Board.
QuickJobs Carolina™ is an ongoing training initiative of the South Carolina Technical College System. Additional courses offered with stimulus funds are designed to quickly prepare WIA-eligible job seekers, the unemployed and other citizens of the State for available jobs. These courses offer training in high demand industry areas with particular focus on the following five sectors: Advanced Manufacturing; Construction Trades; Energy; Health Care; and Transportation and Logistics. Within these five industry sectors, the program offers 24 different pathways for workforce training.
Secretary Taylor encouraged us to find a vehicle that could put these grant dollars to work quickly and effectively. We were particularly interested in programs aimed at giving job seekers the skills needed to compete in today’s marketplace. QuickJobs has a proven track record of better aligning workforce skills training with the demands of businesses across the state, and putting people on a path to employment quickly, said Pat Hudson, Chairman of the State Workforce Investment Board and Dr. Peggy Torrey, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development at the S.C. Department of Commerce. Even in these tough economic times, we still see jobs going unfilled because those seeking employment lack the appropriate skills. We are pleased to work with the State Technical College System to expand training programs and confident that this partnership will yield a clear path to employment for those that further their skills through QuickJobs.
Participants completing a program at one of the 16 local technical colleges will have the entry-level skills to perform tasks under supervision of experienced employees with opportunities for gaining industry-recognized credentials within six months to one year. Participants may also choose to apply credits earned through the QuickJobs Carolina™ training program to further higher education or complete a degree.
The condition of ‘jobs without people and people without jobs’ is an unacceptable status quo, said Dr. Barry Russell, President of the South Carolina Technical College System. We have seen great success with QuickJobs programs and this focused collaboration allows us to provide a creative workforce solution to the entire state. QuickJobs Carolina™ has been a priority for the Technical College System and for our business partners over the past couple of years. Providing South Carolina’s citizens with educational and career pathways clearly must be a part of how we address the challenges of these economic times.
QuickJobs programs will be offered at the 16 technical colleges in the state and ARRA dollars will fund up to 360 classes in total, paying for instructors, facilities and curriculum development, up to $10,000 per course. Local workforce investment boards will send eligible students though the program at reduced tuition using stimulus dollars allocated for local areas.
Anyone interested in finding out more information about the program can contact their local One-Stop Career Center. For a list of One-Stops and contact information, please visit www.workforcesouthcarolina.org.
QuickJobs Carolina™ Training Initiative – Frequently Asked Questions:
What is QuickJobs Carolina™? – QuickJobs Carolina™ a program designed to offer skills training that results in an industry recognized certificate or credential in six months to a year. The program is designed to quickly meet the needs of participants and provide the training needed to move them into employment.
How much money is being made available and by what source? – The funding to expand QuickJobs Carolina™ with new program courses is being made available as part of South Carolina’s portion of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) allocation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Of the funds received, the State Workforce Investment Board allocated $4 million and the Department of Commerce and the S.C. Technical College System worked together to develop the program courses under the QuickJobs Training program. The money is expected to fund at least 360 QuickJobs courses, with a maximum of $10,000 for each course. Note: Tuition will be negotiated with and paid by Local Workforce Investment Boards.
Who can benefit from this program? – The training initiative will meet the needs of individuals eligible for “Workforce and Employment Services” under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Dislocated workers are eligible, but other adults that meet certain criteria may also be eligible. The program is targeted to assist workers who do not possess the requisite skill set needed to gain re-employment. Local One-Stop staff will screen candidates for eligibility to enter the program.
While in training, participants will gain not only a foundation of technical knowledge, but also soft skills training.
What job sectors are being targeted in the QuickJobs initiative?
Targeted sectors include: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Energy, Healthcare and Transportation and Logistics. Note: Training program length varies based on the requirements for a specific job training program.
- Advance Materials – program duration: from 150 – 240 hours; average hourly wage range: $17.13 – $17.73
- Example: Computer Numeric Controls Operator – 160 hours training program; $17.26 average hourly wage
- Construction Trades – program duration: from 168 – 640 hours; average hourly wage range: $14.63 – $17.85
- Example: Electrician – 330 hours training program; $17.85 average hourly wage
- Energy – program duration: 50 – 240+ hours; average hourly wage range: $14.99 – $30.95
- Example: Weatherization and Installer Technician – 120 hours training program; $14.99 average hourly wage
- Healthcare – program duration: 120 – 425 hours; average hourly wage range: $8.83 – $13.77
- Example: Health Information Technician – 200-425 hours training program; 13.77 average hourly wage
- Transportation and Logistics – program duration: 100 – 320 hours; average hourly wage range: $12.19 – $18.09
- Example: Commercial Truck Driver – 180 hours training program; $17.07 average hourly wage
Where will the new QuickJobs Carolina™courses be held? – The program courses will be held at te
chnical colleges across the state. However, individuals interested in QuickJobs courses can contact their local One-Stops for more information.