Thanks to a $3,500 grant from The Moline Foundation, Black Hawk College will be able to help more Quad-Cities residents upgrade their skills or train for new jobs.
The Reskilling Project at Black Hawk College fills gaps in financial assistance for students who want to enroll in short-term training programs. These programs usually do not qualify for traditional financial aid, but short-term training can be just what some students need to improve their employment options.
For example:
- A Fork Truck Operating Safety and Driving certificate that can be earned in one day can help someone qualify for a job and/or move to a higher-paying position.
- Students can complete Drinking Water and Wastewater training in one semester, and local municipalities predict significant job openings as employees retire.
- Ed2go classes are available that lead to multiple IT certifications that are increasingly valuable in the current environment.
- Pharmacy, phlebotomy and EKG technicians as well as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can complete training over the course of several weeks and qualify for employment.
While most students need assistance with tuition and fees, others may just need assistance with paying for a textbook or buying a welding hood and gloves. The flexibility to evaluate each student’s need on an individual basis helps to fill gaps and address barriers that can prevent individuals from moving forward in a current or new career pathway.
“We are grateful to The Moline Foundation for supporting our students as they seek training and certifications that can improve their employment opportunities during these challenging times,” said Glenda Nicke, the college’s dean of adult and continuing education.